Is Arsenal fans' criticism of KSE ownership justified?

Pressure has ramped up on Arsenal – specifically KSE – to spend big in the January transfer window and show some ‘ambition’ for a title charge, but is the criticism of their hitherto quiet month really justified?  

The Kroenkes gained our trust following a 100% buyout in 2018 and, even after the European Super League debacle, they recovered to build a strong rapport with fans (no doubt helped by big financial support that turned the Gunners into title contenders).

Yet that past enmity is now resurfacing. As the final week of January looms, the club remains without a single purchase and reports indicate that loan moves from overseas are preferred to any significant outlay.

This modest transfer approach comes at a time of crisis in the Arsenal frontline – Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka are both injured long term – and, truthfully, in our season, with some accusing KSE of reverting to their old, uncaring ways now that the team is back competing at a high level.

Are Arsenal fans right to question the commitment of KSE this January?

But this is a gross oversimplification of the current picture, one driven by (understandable) fan angst vis-à-vis our on-pitch struggles and compounded by heavy spending/bids from other Premier League sides. Mix these elements with the thirst for dopamine that only transfers can quench and you get a tsunami-scale rush of supporter fury.   

Instead, one should consider the many reasons for our mid-season caution: everyone knows teams do not want to sell their prized assets halfway through the campaign; and those who tick the boxes best (e.g. Bryan Mbeumo or Benjamin Sesko) would command extortionate fees (perhaps less so if the reported £67m price tag for the latter is to be believed…).

Furthermore, Arsenal have already spent a huge amount in recent years (approx. £500m from 2021-2023) and needed some ‘quiet’ last summer to stave off the domestic and European watchdogs – just like every other club in the division.   

For the prosecution, there is of course ample reason to dip into the market and the fact that no deal seems close is of great concern; someone simply must be brought in before the window shuts. Also, one could argue that the Gunners are too intent on waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment to buy (like with Jesus and Declan Rice before; Sesko now) rather than pushing the needle as soon as the first signs of adversity appear.

But to attribute their measured tack/unwillingness for paying over the odds to a lack of ambition or disinterest is neither fair nor accurate, and suggestions of this being the case are simply a byproduct of justified frustration about our faltering campaign.

KSE can certainly do more to earn this team a title – not least getting Mikel Arteta the forward he has wanted/needed for several years – but questions of their commitment to the club were emphatically answered post-2018 and their aversion to being held to ransom today changes nothing on that front.

Apply the transfer pressure by all means but, under this ownership, Arsenal have moved back in the right direction; may it continue.    

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