Arsenal move places for top 10 richest owners in the world

So there is something brewing up in Tyneside that everyone might be aware of. And no, it’s not the local Brown Ale. Instead, a certain Saudi Arabian-backed £305m takeover of Newcastle United has been completed. It’s seen Arsenal move around.

The morale and ethical implications of the takeover are stark. Newcastle United are now owed by the richest man in football, but there is so much else to be concerned about aside from money: alleged human rights abuses by Saudi Arabia, their LGBTQ+ views. A lot.

In regards to the actual finances, Arsenal remain in the top ten richest clubs on the globe. Recently breaking into the top ten for most expensive squads, their place in the top ten for wealthiest football owners is in tact. Yay?

They have moved down to eighth place, though, with Dietrich Mateschitz owning both RB clubs. How annoyingly fitting of a place in this supposed ‘table’.

Arsenal: Stan Kroenke move places in top 10 richest owners in the world after Saudi Arabian-backed £305m takeover of Newcastle United

With a net worth of £6.8bn, Stan Kroenke first brought shares in the Gunners in 2008 before increasing that stake in 2011, with his wealth seeing him also own the LA Rams, Denver Nuggets and Colorado Rapids. He isn’t especially well liked, as is well documented.

But with Newcastle’s new owners boasting a wealth of no less than £320bn, yes, £320bn, Arsenal have moved from seventh to eighth in the standings behind Philip Anschutz of LA Galaxy and ahead of Zhang Jindong at Inter Milan.

Does this mean Arsenal should be worried? Will Bukayo Saka be Newcastle’s marquee signing for £400m? People should be worried, but for different reasons.

In terms of the football, well, the Magpies have to avoid relegation first.

Currently sitting 19th in the table and without a win in their opening seven matches, things aren’t looking great. It seems inevitable that Steve Bruce will be moved on before their next Premier League fixture to try and push them back up the table, but in truth despite all of their hideous wealth it will be years before they’re pushing for top four.

They’ll throw money at the club in frightening abundance. They need a manager who can lead them on that charge, however. Years of tier two signings – the likes that choose Newcastle instead of, say, China – will follow before there is great enough incentive for the best players in the world to take the money on offer but also come into a side actually challenging for honours.

Are they an attractive proposition? Not right now, no. They might genuinely get relegated this season. Can you imagine that after what has just happened? Would be quite funny.

So, who will be there Robinho-esque first marquee signing? Phillipe Coutinho, perhaps? Maybe it’s worth asking whether they still want Rob Holding…

Check out some bonus content right here, where Ross Kennerley talks to Sporticos Editor-in-Chief Craig Hanson about all things Arsenal, the glory days, AFTV, social media fandom and much more!