By Andrew Warshaw
October 27 – The American powerbroker in charge at Arsenal today broke his silence by backing manager Arsène Wenger and declaring his commitment to the club.
Majority shareholder Stan Kroenke, nicknamed Silent Stan, insisted at the club’s annual meeting that it had “all the elements for success” despite seemingly lagging behind its competitors.
The American billionaire, who first joined the Board in 2008 and earlier this year took a 60 percent controlling stake in Arsenal, has made few public statements in terms of his vision and finally explained why he decided to invest.
“We are involved extensively in sports in the United States and had lots of opportunities to involve ourselves in lots of clubs around Europe and in the Premier League,” said Kroenke, who now owns 66.7 per cent of the North London outfit.
“We did not have an interest, but as we became involved with Arsenal in a commercial undertaking in Denver, I became more interested.
“Arsenal has all the elements that you need to have success in this kind of business.”
Kroenke added: “We are glad to be here, are happy with the direction of the club and are here for the long term – we love London, you had better get used to seeing us, because we will be around.”
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis (pictured) did his best to reassure shareholders that the club would remain competitive.
“We have a sound foundation to move forwards,” he said.
“Standing still has never been an option.”
Wenger, who celebrated 15 years in charge earlier this season, has endured one of the most testing periods of his tenure over the past few months, eased only by a recent improved spell of form.
He told the meeting: “We want to do things with class and be very brave.
“Courage is a quality I admire, because it is highly needed in the modern world.”
Wenger (pictured) made a point of stressing that Arsenal had been more consistent than anyone during his time as manager but that won’t wash with a section of diehard fans who have seen no improvement season upon season in recent years.
“To stay at the top, top level we have to stay united,” said Wenger.
“That does not mean not I am not to be criticised, or the board – we accept that, but we have to show to the outside we are united.
“If you are not, then you have no chance.”
Lurking in the background still is Arsenal minority shareholder Alisher Usmanov, who was not present at the meeting and is not a member of the board.
The Russian businessman, understood to be at loggerheads with Kroenke, has written to small shareholders in a fresh bid to take his stake in the club over the 30 per cent threshold in order to launch a formal takeover bid.
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