Arsenal’s ‘silent Stan’ unfazed by unhappy fans

AMERICAN businessman and entrepreneur Stan Kroenke is unlikely to be upset by the outpouring of heated opposition from Arsenal fans following his takeover of historic Premier League club.

The hard-nosed multi-billionaire from Columbia, Missouri, who joined the American invasion of English football over a decade ago, has absorbed a steady volume of abuse since he first bought into the club in 2007.

The level of opposition rose significantly this week however as the 71-year-old, who collects sports franchises like trophies, bought out the club by purchasing the 30% holding of long-time rival minority shareholder Alisher Usmanov.

Adding to his 67% stake, the gambit took Kroenke well over the 90% mark that triggers a mandatory buyout of the remainder of the shares, shutting out die-hard fans.

Usmanov bade farewell to the club with a cryptic message saying Arsenal, without a league title since 2004, “could be the best club in the world,” but presumably not in the hands of the American, who has been the target of his constant sniping.

Kroenke’s purchase has been roundly condemned by many sports fans and the Arsenal Supporter’s Club (AST) called it “a dreadful day”, with David Kershaw, an independent shareholder, saying the days when fans could hold Kroenke to account had disappeared.

“Although only a tiny minority, we played a significant role in trying to ensure the club honoured its values, which they go on about all the time,” he told The Daily Mail.

“It felt like the last bastion of transparency. Emotionally, it felt as if we had some control over the old values at Arsenal. And they hated it.”

A majority of Arsenal faithful feel that Kroenke has no interest in making the club into a Premier League contender.

Gunners legend Ian Wright said: “I can sum up the prospect of Stan (Kroenke) becoming the sole owner of Arsenal in two words – absolutely disastrous.”

“I genuinely fear the days of seeing the Gunners challenging for top honours on a regular basis may well have come and gone.

“This is a guy who has remained in the background pretty much throughout his entire association with Arsenal.

“A man who, as far as I can see it, hasn’t exactly been tearing up trees trying to do what’s best for the club.” – Agencies