Arsenal: Josh Kroenke’s comments shockingly out of touch

Josh Kroenke addressed Arsenal fans for the first time since the ill-fated Super League breakaway, doing absolutely nothing to convince supporters that KSE, quite simply, have any idea what they are doing.

Having shown utter contempt to supporters following the gruesome back-alley decision to stage the most embarrassing coup of all time behind not only UEFA’s backs, but indeed all those attached to the club, Josh Kroenke sought to temper emotions – good luck – by speaking on the Arsenal Fans’ Forum.

This was his third, or his dad’s, third meeting in ten years. The passivity alone is worth mentioning as, unless the heat really gets turned up, they’re distant.

For many if not all, this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. A back that was already snapped in two and disintegrating away like dust in the wind.

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Arsenal: Josh Kroenke’s comments during fans’ forum shockingly out of touch and do nothing to bridge irreparable relationship

It took but a matter of minutes into the forum for Kroenke to show his true colours.

"As quoted by REDaction Gooners, Josh said: “We asked ourselves, what is worse : ESL, or ESL without Arsenal? Also asked ourselves what do the fans want? The global fan wants Arsenal v Barcelona as often as possible.“English fans want to see more big matches, but you still want your cold nights in Stoke. We got it wrong.”"

How painfully out of touch must you be? Let’s start from the top. So firstly, why have you asked yourselves that question? Why not, y’know, the fans?

Furthermore, don’t patronise us. Don’t tell the fans – your fans, supposedly – what they want. Do supporters want Arsenal vs Barcelona? Of course we do. But what is being horribly dodged and rubber stamps their total lack of understanding for the English game is that fans of this club and all the rest, want to earn that right.

So hideously out of touch. And it gets better (worse).

He then proceeded to blame the pandemic for why KSE haven’t been in contact with the fans. This despite there being every piece of technology available, a bit like the ones in use for this very interaction. You genuinely couldn’t write this stuff.

But they stand tall. They want to ‘rebuild’ this relationship.

"“I want to get back to London, I want to do this,” Josh added. “I am aware we never had trust, we need to build a bridge, we will.“I am aware we never had trust and we need to build a bridge.”"

Enough talking. Enough apathy. Ten years into ownership and you’re still talking about building bridges having not been trusted for ten years? Utter disillusionment.

Then, on the topic of investment, there are ‘big plans’ to invest, backed up, of course, by an unwillingness to sell.

"“We have big plans to invest, we have plans, we want to be great again, but a long term model does not support long term high investment,” he said. “No intention of selling.”"

No intention of giving supporters what they want. No sympathy. No empathy. No identity. No clue. But hey! KSE will cover the costs of their fallacies by stumping up the money to pay whatever costs arise from incurring ESL exit. Those which apparently are not near the £8m reported.

One line from Akhil Vyas summed it up.

"“You do not understand English football, you do not interact with fans, you have no clue, English football is clearly not for you, you should leave.”"

Yes they should.