‘Euro flop and lure of club led to spree’

OWNER’S son Josh Kroenke says Arsenal’s aura enabled the club to attract the talent that has helped them start the season in style.

But he admits it took the jolt of a 4-1 Europa League Final thumping by Chelsea to kickstart the club into action.

The Gunners were the biggest spenders in the last window after investing £152m on six players, including £72m record signing Nicolas Pepe.

That was despite the club missing out on the Champions League after finishing fifth.

Two matches into the new season, only leaders Liverpool and Arsenal have 100 per cent records in the Premier League ahead of their Anfield meeting on Saturday.

Director Kroenke (below) said: “This summer, even though we weren’t in a position of strength coming out of Baku, there were a few people caught off guard that Arsenal Football Club still has the aura that it does.

“When Arsenal knocks on a player’s door, it’s a different knock.

“We’re excited to keep pushing that now and into the future. We have come back with a stronger squad and I am excited to see what this group can do.”

Kroenke, the son of ‘Silent Stan’ Kroenke, claimed the defeat to Chelsea hammered home the message that it was time to act.

Six new players – including Pepe from Lille and Dani Ceballos (above) on loan from Real Madrid – were to follow.

Kroenke added: “As the second half unfolded, we had to rethink some of our strategy based on that last 45 minutes because we knew that we wouldn’t have Champions League football and to attract certain players, that’s what they are after.

“My main message to Vinai [Venkatesham, managing director] and Raul [Sanllehi, head of football] coming back from Baku on the plane and then throughout meetings all day the following day with them and Unai [Emery, head coach] was, ‘Let’s be aggressive and find out what’s possible.’ “These guys worked their magic and I am happy to have them on our side.”