Stan Kroenke has insisted Arsenal are not for sale and reaffirmed his position as a “committed, long term investor”.
It emerged on Friday that American businessman Kroenke had rejected a £1billion takeover bid from Alisher Usmanov, the Gunners’ second leading shareholder.
According to reports, there are members of Arsenal’s board who are sympathetic to Usmanov’s overtures, not least due to the growing fan unrest towards Kroenke and his stewardship of the club.
However, Kroenke Sports and Entertainment – the company which owns 67 per cent of Arsenal – released a statement this morning insisting further interest from Usmanov or any other interested party will be dismissed.
It read: “KSE UK, Inc notes the recent media speculation concerning its shareholding in Arsenal Holdings PLC and confirms that its shares are not, and never have been, for sale.
“KSE is a committed long term investor in Arsenal and will remain so.”
Kroenke was singled out for criticism by supporters at Emirates Stadium yesterday as Arsenal beat Everton 3-1 but failed to secure Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years.
Manager Arsene Wenger has been the target of most of the criticism for Arsenal’s disappointing campaign but fans turned their attention to the owner, singing “Stan Kroenke, get out of our club” during the second half.
Kroenke is due in London this week and is expected to attend Saturday’s FA Cup Final against Chelsea ahead of a board meeting at which Wenger’s future is set to be finalised.
Wenger’s current contract expires at the end of the season and he is believed to be resistant to the club’s plans to appoint a director of football.
However, Wenger publicly defended Kroenke yesterday, adding: “You respect everybody in life and I respect Stan Kroenke a lot. He’s not at fault if we didn’t reach the Champions League, it’s the technical department who are responsible for that. I don’t see what he has to do with that.”
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