WE NEED YOU BACK WITH US
Arteta’s desperate plea to furious fans
MIKEL ARTETA says it’s his challenge to get Arsenal’s raging supporters back in the stadium and back on side.
Around 1,000 angry fans descended on the Emirates on Friday (above) ahead of the clash with Everton to protest against Kroenke Sports & Entertainment’s ownership.
Resentment against owner Stan Kroenke and his son, Josh, an Arsenal director, has been high for some time.
But it reached boiling point last week when it was announced that the Gunners were one of the six clubs from England who’d signed up to join the European Super League.
The backlash prompted Arsenal fan Daniel Ek, the co-founder of music streaming service Spotify, to tweet: “As a kid growing up, I’ve cheered for Arsenal as long as I can remember. If KSE would like to sell Arsenal I’d be happy to throw my hat in the ring.”
Josh Kroenke, however, has told fans his family have no intention of selling and manager Arteta believes that puts the onus on him and his players to rebuild the relationship.
Arteta, whose side lost 1-0 to Carlo Ancelotti’s men, said: “It’s a relationship that has to come together from both parties.
Passion
“Some probably giving some opportunities and the other ones showing that they want to be closer to them. I love the fans, I felt them in the stadium when I played and as a manager.
“That’s why I said I’m desperate to have them back so they can show their passion and that togetherness and unity with the team, because the team is desperate for them to be close again to us.
“We have a really young team that has to experience the emotion and the security and trust it brings when you feel your people behind you.”
Keeper Bernd Leno’s blunder cost Arsenal on Friday and Arteta accepts even Europa League qualification is unlikely now. He added: “It’s becoming very difficult mathematically to achieve that.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal and West
Ham are considering a move for Fulham’s Danish loan star Joachim Andersen.
The Gunners have yet to agree a new deal with
David Luiz, who is out of contract in the summer, while the
Hammers want to add to their squad for what they hope will be a Champions League campaign.
Andersen has impressed at Fulham despite their struggles during his loan from
Lyon. And the French side are expected to cash in on him, with the defender also keen to stay in the Premier League.