Arsenal: The banner’s right, Stan Kroenke must be next

During Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town, a banner flew across the stadium reading ‘Kroenke – You’re next!!’. While I find it a little disrespectful to Arsene Wenger, the banner’s right: Stan Kroenke must be next.

Predictably, as this is seemingly the nature of this somewhat infuriating fan base, there was a myriad of banner-carrying planes flying over John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town.

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I counted three, which is the most that I can ever remember at a game. Two were about Arsene Wenger, which is apt given that the whole day was a celebration of his 22-year reign. One was about owner Stan Kroenke.

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I actually found it a little disrespectful to Wenger that fans paid for a banner to protest against the owner on a day that was meant to be honouring the greatest manager that this club has ever had. I am sure that Wenger would never have complained, such is the character of the man, but it did come in bad taste, the typically bitter behaviour that this club’s fans are increasingly renowned for in recent years.

But, in distancing myself from the honourability of the banner and purely focusing on its message, I cannot help but agree with its sentiment. For all of my belief that, logically, at least, it is the right time for Wenger to leave, my greater chagrin is with Kroenke, not Wenger. And so, with Wenger now departed, the protective shield that Kroenke has always relied upon and hid behind is no longer present. That, I believe, will expose him.

This is a man who is not moved by winning. He much prefers the lining of his wallet to ever think about investing in trophies and titles and these useless historic achievements that no one will remember.

The club may publicly state that they are motivated by winning, and I am sure there are individuals in the building that are. But their behaviour suggests that their intentions are very different. It was only until the Emirates was no longer being filled, for instance, that Wenger was eased out; it was only until the Champions League money had vanished that action was taken to build an infrastructure for the future.

That stems from Kroenke. As long as his bank balance is healthy, he will not care about this club, not like the fans or like many of the staff or even the players or especially Wenger. He does not have the club’s best interests at heart. Only his.

Next: Arsenal Vs Huddersfield: 5 things we learned

So I may not agree with the use of a wretched banner to mar Wenger’s day, but I wholeheartedly stand by the sentiment. Stan Kroenke must be next to leave. Arsenal will not win before he does.