There is a clear attempt from the Arsenal ownership. Wait, let me rephrase. There is a clear attempt from the son of Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke, Josh Kroenke, to attempt to repair some of the damage to the relationship between the club’s supporters and Kroenke Sports Entertainment.
Taking full control of the club in 2018, KSE’s involvement in Arsenal has very much been with Josh Kroenke at the forefront. His father recently won the Super Bowl with the LA Rams and was there to lift the trophy. It was almost a literal metaphor seeing him raising it higher than all his other associative projects.
Meanwhile, Josh has been left to answer the questions regarding the ownership of Arsenal. Speaking after the European Super League fiasco at a Fans' Forum, Josh was asked what he would do to engage more with fans.
He replied: “What will I do to engage more with fans? Well, starting with interactions such as this on Microsoft Teams. When I'm in there in person we're going to be sitting down in a boardroom as we did over in Highbury several years ago.
“There's going to be many more interactions like this. It's not going to be a surprise. It's going to be a scheduled appearance by myself with dialogue back and forth between the likes of us.”
Later in July, Arsenal announced the revamp of the Fans' Forum and the introduction of the Fan Advisory Board initiative.
‘The Fans’ Forum will continue to meet three times a year to discuss more operational matters and will be attended by chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and other senior executives. Josh Kroenke will attend at least one Fans’ Forum each season,’ read a statement on the club website.
This was met with a mixed reaction. One appearance from Josh at the Fans' Forum represented a minimum commitment of the triannual scheduled meetings.
Last night was the first of 2022, mere days after the Superbowl victory of which Josh was in attendance.
Josh Kroenke was not present, however, at last night’s Forum. It was revealed by Vice President and Admin of Arsenal Demark, Peter Høst, who was in attendance, that Josh should be at the next meeting around the end of the season.
This was a missed opportunity for Josh to show to Arsenal supporters that his commitment to the club ranked as highly as the LA Rams.
After a January window that saw a frustrated fan base watch on as no players were brought in to strengthen a side vying for Champions League qualification, Josh’s presence at this meeting would have been a statement.
Instead, Vinai Venkatesham led discussions surrounding a number of topics including an explanation as to why the January window did not see the reinforcement that the club needed. Detailing that the recruitment department did not see a worthy opportunity that was achievable this winter.
This may seem like a moan. It is, in part. But it is one born of frustration that the opportunity was there for Josh to make a statement by being present with those supporters. There is also a sense of being let down, wanting to believe what Josh says but being let down by a lack of action. Arsenal fans have listened to words for too long, it is these actions that will change our minds.
Granted, Josh did attend the Fan Advisory Board Meeting prior to the 9th of February. However, back-to-back appearances surrounding the Rams’ success would have sent a message that the effort truly is being made to repair the damage, especially at the more public and engaging Fans' Forum.
The next opportunity appears to be at the end of the season and fingers will be crossed the club have become a Champions League side again by that point.
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