In April 2021, Stan Kroenke's reputation amongst the Arsenal fanbase was at its lowest. The Gunners announced they had signed up to be part of a proposed new European Super League, dismantling the traditional domestic football pyramid.
The decision was one that was not taken lightly from lovers of the beautiful game and Kroenke reversed the decision 48 hours later following severe backlash from fans, pundits, UEFA, FIFA, the government and players. Chelsea and Manchester City followed suit and the proposed plan fell through.
"As a result of listening to you and the wider football community over recent days we are withdrawing from the proposed Super League," a post read on Twitter. "We made a mistake, and we apologise for it."
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Kroenke Sports & Entertainment remained firm in their refusal to sell the club despite genuine interest from Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek and Kroenke promised better proceedings to follow. "If you're expecting to see me more, absolutely.
“Let's start on this call right now. From a board perspective, we as a club came together and made the decision as a board. That's why we put out the statement as we did, apologising immediately and if you're hoping to interact with me on a more meaningful basis going forward, you have my word that's absolutely the case," he said.
"But you're going to be seeing a lot more of myself, we're going to be interacting a lot more. It's on myself and the rest of the board to push this club forward and we're going to be listening to you guys a lot."
Since then, Arsenal have reached a European semi-final, came agonisingly close to a top-four finish and are now on course to win their first Premier League title in nearly 20 years. There has also been over £310million spent on players - with the majority of them now key assets of Mikel Arteta's squad.
The calls and protests against Kroenke inside the Emirates Stadium have moderately gone quiet in the past 20 months, with the U.S billionaire even attending the Boxing Day win over West Ham with his son Josh. In fact, Wednesday's news that Stan and Josh had become Co-Chairs of the football club - elevating their involvement in proceedings - was welcomed with more positivity than previously recorded.
It would be fair to suggest that the Arsenal supporters have changed their opinion - maybe only slightly - on the owner. In a social media post from @Gunnersc0m, many fans have provided their honest verdict on the 79-year-old.
Here's what a number of Gooners have said on Kroenke:
@DavidMaynard32: Unfairly treated but the fan base including by me. Didn’t heavily invest due to not having 100% ownership. Since he’s had that, he’s invested, and helped bring the club together along with Josh. Listened to fans too. His other clubs are all successful. I think we’re in safe hands
@Walusbengo: I support him. I like Josh Kroenke more. He has invested in the past few seasons and is tying down our best players to new contracts instead of selling. I hope Stan and Josh will back Mikel more and consistently to sustain success.
@Leftfootdynamo: He’s given Josh free reign like it’s “his” thing now which is good, Josh is involved quite a bit from what it seems and Stan attends games. Clearly has changed the look of the club altogether with Arteta which is great.
@siralexwengee: A t this rate, I have no complaint whatsoever. With Mudryk's €100m and Caceido's £70m still in the Bank. Plus CL money and if we win the league, Edu must have enough funds to strengthen the team in the summer. #TrustTheProcess
@AFCMet: He has a hands off approach which is fine when you have the right people in charge. They deserve some credit for investing into the club, although we will never find out how they did.
@arnav714: He is one of the most respected team owners and has funded his own stadiums in the US. It's understandable he wasn't as involved but in giving Josh the official chairman status and Arsenal the transfer funds, he's shown he hears the fans at least!
@RyanSutts: No Arsenal fan can complain about Kroenke atm
@CarlHyks: I think since Josh Kroenke took charge, everything went well, My trust to Stan increasing and his son, Thank you Kroenke's family
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