News Focus
- Josh Kroenke says empty stadiums during the pandemic gave Mikel Arteta room to grow without intense fan pressure
- The Arsenal co-chair reflects on the difficult transition period following Arsene Wenger’s departure after 22 years
- Gunners prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final this Saturday
- Club promises summer signings to strengthen the squad and maintain their position at the top
Josh Kroenke has revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic gave Mikel Arteta valuable “space” to rebuild Arsenal without intense pressure from supporters. The Arsenal co-chair spoke about how football behind closed doors helped the Spanish manager transform the club into Premier League champions.
Kroenke admitted that hiring Arteta in December 2019 was a risk. It was the former midfielder’s first senior management job. The team finished eighth in the league during Arteta’s first two seasons, though they did win the FA Cup in 2020. “There was something about Mikel having a little bit of space during Covid when there weren’t fans around,” Kroenke explained. He said the empty stadiums meant Arteta could guide the team through “growing pains” without facing angry crowds during difficult moments.
The journey has not been easy for the Kroenke family. They took full control of Arsenal in 2018. Fans protested against their ownership with the “We Care, Do You?” campaign. Kroenke described the period after Arsene Wenger left as “heavy lifting.” The club also lost chief executive Ivan Gazidis at the same time. Kroenke said this was “too much change in way too short of a period.”
The lowest point came in 2019 when Arsenal lost 4-1 to Chelsea in the Europa League final in Baku. Kroenke said this defeat made the owners accept they needed to change their strategy completely. After that match, Kroenke asked academy chief Per Mertesacker how to find a defender like Virgil van Dijk. Mertesacker immediately suggested William Saliba. Arsenal signed the French defender for £27 million from Saint-Etienne, and he is now a key player in the title-winning side.
Kroenke also recalled watching the decisive VAR moment against West Ham from his home in America. The late goal was ruled out in Arsenal’s favour three games from the end of the season. “I was on my hands and knees in my living room,” he said. Now Arsenal prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. Kroenke promised the club will buy new players this summer to strengthen the squad and “stay top of the mountain.” He warned that rivals will improve next season, saying: “If you’re not trying to continually evolve and improve, you’re standing still.”