{"id":1886,"date":"2026-03-22T07:01:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T07:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=1886"},"modified":"2026-03-22T07:01:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T07:01:23","slug":"arsenal-chief-josh-kroenke-came-out-swinging-in-response-to-fan-criticism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=1886","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal chief Josh Kroenke came out swinging in response to fan criticism"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_060b91\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">The Arsenal co-owner has proven that is not afraid to front up to fans when the going gets tough<\/h2>\n<p><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36902882\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Josh Kroenke, co-chair of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage on October 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Vince Mignott\/MB Media\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36902882.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Fulham-v-Arsenal-Premier-League.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36902882.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Fulham-v-Arsenal-Premier-League.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36902882.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Fulham-v-Arsenal-Premier-League.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36902882.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Fulham-v-Arsenal-Premier-League.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke has known to address the fans of his clubs\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke has known to address the fans of his clubs<cite aria-label=\"Image: Vince Mignott\/MB Media, Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Vince Mignott\/MB Media, Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal will meet Manchester City in the Carabao Cup<!-- --> final on Sunday, with Josh Kroenke <!-- -->anticipated to be present. <!-- -->Josh, 45, is the son of Stan Kroenke, whose Kroenke Sports and Entertainment group (KSE) became the sole proprietor of <!-- -->Arsenal in August 2018.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Having been joint owners since 2007, Stan subsequently purchased Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov&#8217;s 30 per cent stake for more than \u00a3600m, concluding a protracted battle for ultimate ownership of Arsenal. That elevated the Kroenke&#8217;s combined holding to 97 per cent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Josh also holds the position of president of Major League Soccer outfit, Colorado Rapids, and, as with his involvement with the Gunners, he has shown willingness to engage supporters during difficult periods, establishing himself as an intermediary between fans and the hierarchy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong> <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Denver Nuggets governor came under scrutiny in September 2023 when the Centennial 38 supporters group of the Rapids challenged the Kroenkes in an open letter amid a turbulent spell for the MLS club both on and off the field. Fans were forthright as they highlighted numerous issues, criticising KSE throughout.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">They pinpointed insufficient investment in the squad and infrastructure as a principal concern. Additionally, they also alleged inadequate communication with supporters and voiced their frustration at the condition of the Rapids&#8217; DICK&#8217;S Sporting Goods Park stadium. Josh responded forcefully.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_1bc197\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Thomas Tuchel names strict condition for Max Dowman to make England&#8217;s World Cup squad<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_1bc197\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Arsenal land \u00a360m transfer boost as Champions League advantage clear<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: &#8220;Off the field, we have already engaged Legends, Civitas, Perkins and Will, and Turner Construction on a number of feasibility studies and analyses around potential infrastructure projects as we assess a future vision for DICK&#8217;S Sporting Goods Park and the Club&#8217;s training environment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;We are also actively evaluating additional ways to enhance the gameday experience inside and outside the stadium. Over the next few months, we will be finalising the master plan for our exciting Victory Crossing Project.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36902879\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36902879\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.41\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Josh Kroenke acknowledges the fans after the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between Arsenal WFC v FC Barcelona at Estadio Jose Alvalade. \" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36902879.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Arsenal-WFC-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-Final.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36902879.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Arsenal-WFC-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-Final.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36902879.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Arsenal-WFC-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-Final.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36902879.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Arsenal-WFC-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-Final.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke has known to address the fans of his clubs\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke has known to address the fans of his clubs<cite aria-label=\"Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Catherine Ivill &#8211; AMA\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Our supporters will always be the lifeblood of our club. We hear you and we look forward to having an ongoing dialogue with Centennial 38 over their concerns and our plans for the future.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Josh&#8217;s direct communication with Rapids supporters will evoke parallels for Arsenal fans. Following 16 Gunners supporter groups signing a letter and launching a petition calling on the ownership to show greater commitment and leadership in 2019, it was Kroenke Jr who broke his silence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Josh addressed supporters head-on once more, transforming Arsenal&#8217;s trajectory over the following five years. &#8220;Is it hard to take? Absolutely,&#8221; Josh said of the letter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;But I&#8217;m not in this business to make friends, I&#8217;m in it to win. If anyone is ever going to question anything about our ownership, which I view as a custodianship, the supporters trust us to be a custodian of the values &#8211; that&#8217;s what we&#8217;re trying to do. We&#8217;re trying to win whilst also respecting the values and traditions of the club.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36902880\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36902880\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.49\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (right) speaks with Arsenal chairman Josh Kroenke\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36902880.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Southampton-v-Arsenal-Premier-League-St-Marys-Stadium.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36902880.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Southampton-v-Arsenal-Premier-League-St-Marys-Stadium.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36902880.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Southampton-v-Arsenal-Premier-League-St-Marys-Stadium.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36902880.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Southampton-v-Arsenal-Premier-League-St-Marys-Stadium.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (right) speaks with Arsenal chairman Josh Kroenke\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (right) speaks with Arsenal chairman Josh Kroenke<cite aria-label=\"Image: PA\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: PA)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve sat down with supporters&#8217; groups. I&#8217;ve not been afraid to sit down to have tough conversations with people because I&#8217;m transparent, we&#8217;re transparent, we don&#8217;t have anything to hide. We all want the same thing and we&#8217;re all trying aggressively to make it happen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Kroenkes delivered on that promise. The club embarked upon a transfer spending spree in the summer of 2025 that may have positioned Mikel Arteta&#8217;s squad for a remarkable campaign.<\/p>\n<figure data-testid=\"embed-placeholder\" class=\"EmbedPlaceholder_figure__NLMFl undefined false\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" viewbox=\"0 0 90 90\" fill=\"none\" data-testid=\"consent-placeholder-icon\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_10846_5865)\"><circle opacity=\"0.16\" cx=\"45\" cy=\"45\" r=\"33.75\" fill=\"var(--color-sem-icon-neutral-default)\"\/><path d=\"M21.1351 21.1351C15.0276 27.2427 11.25 35.6802 11.25 45C11.25 63.6396 26.3604 78.75 45 78.75C54.3198 78.75 62.7573 74.9724 68.8649 68.8649M21.1351 21.1351C27.2427 15.0276 35.6802 11.25 45 11.25C63.6396 11.25 78.75 26.3604 78.75 45C78.75 54.3198 74.9724 62.7573 68.8649 68.8649M21.1351 21.1351L68.8649 68.8649\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-neutral-default)\" stroke-width=\"7.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><\/g><defs><clippath id=\"clip0_10846_5865\"><rect width=\"90\" height=\"90\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/clippath><\/defs><\/svg><figcaption>Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal sit top of the Premier League and have progressed to the Champions League and FA Cup quarter-finals. Should they prevail against Pep Guardiola&#8217;s side in the League Cup final on Sunday, it could well prove the opening silverware of an extraordinary quadruple this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em>Join our new WhatsApp community<\/em> and receive your daily dose of <em>Mirror<\/em> <em>Football<\/em> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. 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Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33404045.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>\u00a349<\/p>\n<p>\u00a335<\/p>\n<p>Sky<\/p>\n<p>Get the deal here<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025\/26 season, saving \u00a3336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Arsenal co-owner has proven that is not afraid to front up to fans when<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1887,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1886","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1886","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1886"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1886\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1886"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1886"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1886"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}