Morning all.
I’m late to the party but as the saying goes, better late than never.
#WeCareDoYou Is alive and kicking as Arsenal fans are finally reacting to what has been festering for a while. The Arsenal and how it’s become a club barely recognisable to the one which bossed Highbury.
Call me old-fashioned but we don’t need Kroenke’s money and we don’t want his sort. Our objective is to keep Arsenal English, albeit with a lot of foreign players. I don’t know for certain if Kroenke will mount a hostile takeover for our club but we shall resist it with all our might.
We are all being seduced that the Americans will ride into town with pots of cash for new players. It simply isn’t the case. They only see an opportunity to make money. They know absolutely nothing about our football and we don’t want these types involved.
Peter Hill-Wood.
Yet still he came……
Below is a copy of the letter which the Kroenke family will have read and digested.
Highbury House may not be included in the signatures, but I really do share the opinion. Coupled with the letter, there’s a PETITION which at the time of writing this article, contains over 78,000 signatures. Of course I’ve signed it, as should you if your sick and tired of the way the club is being run by an American family who really don’t seem to care about our club, it’s history, it’s present or it’s future. A family who clearly don’t care a jot about us fans either. The bread and butter, the people who without, Stan Kroenke wouldn’t even have his toy.
My support for this campaign isn’t particularly about money and the fact that we don’t spend £300m each summer to build the near perfect squad, it’s about how we go about our signings and when. It’s about an absentee owner who seldom speaks to the fans and when he has, it’s clearly been with hollow words.
Josh Kroenke is no better, in fact he’s probably worse because when he spoke at the time of the Super Bowl Final, he told us that he wanted Finals for Arsenal too, a successful future for daddy’s club. Yet here we are with just three weeks left of this summer transfer window and as far as I can see, we’d be lucky to make a ‘Check A Trade Final’ let alone win it.
As the letter says and it’s a view I share wholeheartedly, talk to the fans, tell us what’s going on and I don’t mean Raul coming out with Arsenal being a self sustaining club. Tell us what the long term plan is and how they’re going to go about it. Be open but more importantly, be honest.
If Arsenal are going down the youth route then fine, but make that clear and the fans will understand I’m sure. I know I will, in fact the only reason I’m looking forward to the new season is because of those younger players and the chance I/we might get to see them progress.
Arsenal fans are human beings, many of whom each summer spend an awful lot of money on tickets and merchandise etc and without them/us, the club wouldn’t survive. The Emirates would be empty, the club’s income would take a huge hit and the Kroenke family would have only themselves to blame. Perhaps it’ll come to that if we don’t see change. Fans aren’t stupid and it’s about time Stan Kroenke stopped treating us as if we are.
Catch you guys in the comments.
I’ve signed it but I care less and less these days. Moving on Wenger was just the beginning of what’s really needed. We really are screwed as a club and it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets really really worse…… happy Tuesday everyone 🤙
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-nya7qAg68Y
This is a start though Chrispy, how Kroenke responds will be interesting. If he does respond.
Morning Rico. I absolutely agree with the petition. What true Arsenal fan wouldn’t? If it’s the first step along the path toward the home fans acting with their feet then so much the better.
The Hill-Wood statement is right but the fact that he accepted Kroenke because of greed over principal certainly dilutes its thrust. Bracewell-Smith also sold the club down the river. Add an ineffectual Wenger, a limp Gazidis and of course Usmanov deciding to sell and it seems that the situation has become toxic. It’s hard not to believe that Arsenal are well down the list of priorities. But I doubt that Stan bears the entire responsibility. He is money in a human form.
Very few sports flourish achievement-wise under US ownership. Liverpool have but then Klopp wouldn’t be there unless he was backed. They are killing F1 as we speak. It’s become a tedious money-spinning borefest with some very ‘convenient’ relationships driving the agenda and the results.
Morning Adam, me too and it’s growing in numbers by the second so I don’t think it can be ignored.
Yes, for all his talk about Kroenke which in hindsight was absolutely correct, he andothers were guilty of chasing the money. Somethings don’t change do they….
Morning all.
I’ll sign the petition, and hope it sparks Stan into some from of action, or even opens up lines of communication between himself and the fans, but I will remain dirty it didn’t happen years ago!
So much wasted time, so much damage done in that time and so much friction, even hatred, between fans caused by the entire situation!
Wasted time Scott or just time we’ll spent gathering proof? You can’t just go flying accusations about without proof and now the fans have it in abundance. It needed Wenger to go to imo, to be the final piece of the jigsaw.
Not that he left without blame, for many things. But then he was happy to go along with things and take his massive salary. Just like Ozil etc.
Rico. You’re right. Money talks and and sporting ambition walks.
It’s sad Adam, but to a much lesser degree, the real world is little different. Money or whatever can earn money, is ruining life. Well, the one I grew up in.
Rico, I’ll stick with wasted time, as I’ve been saying it long enough so won’t change now 🙂 🙂
As for the petition, we need it to force change of the club’s culture and as there is only one person who can do thats, I hope the petition wakes him up.
Arsenal is not a franchise like the American teams, that can be bought and sold, moved on a whim.
I don’t know if he realises that, or just doesn’t care!!
I got a little taste 5 years ago.
Maybe Stan needs to visit the supporters club, the local pubs and see what the atmosphere is like on game day to realise it isn’t a bloody business, as such.
I signed.
Happy to.
80,000 and rising rapidly.
Rico. Do you think we will make a number of signings before the window closes?
I signed. All for project youth part 2 but they still need guidence and leadership on and off the pitch, something which is truly lacking and has been for too long now. Only way is to bring in some experience and a winning mentality and get rid of all the rotten dead wood of the previous regime… and KSE… simples, aye! 😦
I do Adam. Emery kind of hinted that after the match earlier.
The wicked web of lies , deceit and coercion within our boardroom at that time is worthy of a Shakespeare play . All of the players at the time were involved Dein , Fiszman , Hill- Wood and Bracewell – Smith all had their own part in the downfall although only one was interested in the future of the club but made mistakes on the way which were capitalised by the others.
During the time I heard from a reliable source a story about the intrigue but I cannot prove it and am loathe to put it out here in case it leaves Rico open to recriminations . One day I will send it to her privately and she can decide for herself.
I would need her e’mail address though as I would not want it in the public domain.
Morning Rico,
Petition signed,how can you not agree with the sentiments.Hopefully Stan will take notice.
I see Arsenal beat Colorado Rapids 3-0, the scorers included Saka and Martinelli.A mostly young team, apparently Ozil and Mustafi came on as substitute’s,Ozil as Captain !
Not sure what this means for the season but I will watch the game on freesports later.
Morning Rico and all.
I’ve signed!
Will the petition do any good ? I rather doubt it. For Kronke the Arsenal is little more than a vanity project. It’s something he owns and brag about to his billionaire mates, with a ner ner nah ner ner thrown in for good measure, sadly, he’s a tosser. A somewhat socially inept yank interloper, with as most have suggested an eye for making a few mega bucks. However, like all greedy men if he thinks he’s going to lose substantial amounts of money he’ll probably try to off load his English holdings. Well, I hope he will because I really feel “we don’t need his type around our club.”
Azure skies here, again. It must be summer😊
Scott, everyone knew what kind of an owner he was/is, we just didn’t blame him for every bad performance or loss.. 🤔😜
Rico. I doubt it is in Emery’s hands myself.
If signing proper defenders is dependent on moving on our veritable forest of deadwood, then it’s going to need an act of unusual financial strength from Kroenke.
What’s all this about Unai’s teeth? I haven’t caught their glint as yet?
Emery said just that Strangeman. He said the youth/younger players need help.
He’s right imo.
Rico, nor did I but i did always say no matter who our manager was, we would struggle.
I wish it was all down to Wenger and things had improved, I really do.
Anyway, enough of the past.
We have this battle to fight right now.
Good morning everyone, before I rush off to sign the petition here’s a bit more on the Koscielny story courtesy of The Daily Telegraph.
“Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny is “very hurt” by his conflict with the club, his friend and former team-mate Olivier Giroud has told the BBC.
Koscielny has refused to travel on the pre-season tour of the USA after the Gunners rejected his transfer request, and is facing disciplinary proceedings.
The 33-year-old French defender has been criticised, but Giroud said: “You cannot make a judgement when you don’t have all the clues. I’m pretty sure we don’t know everything in this situation.”
The Chelsea and France striker, who played for Arsenal between 2012 and 2018, added: “I hope both sides will find the best agreement.”
Koscielny joined Arsenal from Lorient for about £10m in 2010 and has made 353 appearances for the Premier League club, leading the side intermittently before being appointed permanent captain a year ago.
An Achilles injury ruled him out of France’s triumphant 2018 World Cup campaign, but the centre-back returned in December and helped the Gunners reach the Europa League final, which they lost to Giroud’s Chelsea.
Before that match in Baku, Arsenal were in talks with Koscielny over a new contract.
However, it is understood the defender was unhappy with their offer – and that, along with growing discontent over the way his playing schedule was managed and the direction he felt the team and club were going, led Koscielny to ask for a move.
Arsenal rejected his plea and also deny the Frenchman’s assertion there was some form of agreement in place allowing him to be released for free this summer.”
Adam, you always loved a good set of new teeth.
Poor old Brendan Rodgers is still getting over your verbal attacks hahahahahahaha
Scott. I’d like to see a 3-way Dentathon Challenge between Rodgers, Klopp and Firmino. The resultant glare would be blinding.
I doubt it too Adam, but surely he’d know who were after.. Well, you’d like to think so. 😜
Potter, you have my email address, or would you rather a private one?
Rico. I shall read the tea leaves and let you know. 😂
Morning Wavy, Limey.
Hopefully Ozil wearing the armband is a parting gesture. Lol
😂 Adam
I think he’s just had them straightened..
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9462228/arsenal-unai-emery-new-teeth/
I’d have to go with Firmino, I reckon Adam lol
“His teeth are like a new signing”.
Comment of the month hahahahaha
Comment of the mouth more like. 😉
Hi rico and the House.
As I said several months ago, the only way to hurt Stan Kroenke and make him sit up and think, is, in his pocket, this is the only language these type of people understand.
All these petitions and banners will be blunt ammunition. He will just laugh in the supporters faces as he is fine as long as he is making money for his own pocket and to subsidise his beloved Rams.
The actions supporters should take, is first,……refuse to purchase any drinks or food at the stadium, together with NOT buying the shirts from the Arsenal web site or at the Arsenal shop. Boycott it all.
Then if this doesn’t work, ignore certain games and stay at home and watch on TV. This last action is drastic I know, but I’m already doing my trivial bit.
Unless us/we as supporters take drastic action the same scenario will continue, year after year after year.
Hi Vcc, I’m not so sure. It has to start somewhere and the next step my be to stay away from The Emirates as before which contributed to Arsene Wenger knowing his time was up.
Emery’s teeth. Or ‘TOOTHGATE’ .
I don’t think he’s had anything done to them, physically. I do think he’s bough some of his namesake, (an emery board) and given them a bit of a clean. At the end of last season they were looking rather tar stained, I don’t think he’s a smoker though, just, not a very good tooth cleaner. Probably because he spends too much time making pointless videos!
Kronke and the petition. I don’t think he’ll give a sh1t! Empty grounds might, but that may encourage him to move his Arsenal franchise to St Louis, I hear there’s a vacant stadium in the city!
Liverpool have had 2 yank owners. The first pair were utterly useless, like Kronke, and sold up to another yank geezer, who was a bit more committed, and look at them now😢
I wish the Board had never let him in. PHW was right. Which begs even more questions!!!
The Arsenal is in a real mess. Perhaps we should nationalise it😀
Afternoon Gooners
Afternoon Rico
Thanks for the Colorado vs Arsenal XI vid, at least JM will understand what’s being said. 🙂
I thought that Colorado were very physical, some really heavy challenges and love to shirt pull.
A nice run out for the youngsters.
I’ll watch the full 90 minutes on Freesports later this week.
Almost 85,000 on the petition…
Call me cynical, but the Arsenal away kit goes on sale the day after the petition.
Cynical ploy or coincidence?
Wavy, the way Liverpool ousted the first two Americans should give us hope.
Afternoon Kev, you old cynic. Lol
Nice to see the younger players score. Just hope Emery gives some of them a chance.
I sent it but it came back undelivered.
Highbury.house@yahoo.co.uk Potter
tried again
Contradictory things coming out regarding Koscienly, Emery saying he is an important player for next season, club sources(reported by Sky) saying he can leave if our valuation is met. I suppose it makes sense for Emery to talk him up.
Emery has to play the game Limey, keep him on side.
Not so the club, who seem to be sending out a message that things are gonna change.
Time will tell…
Still not heard anymore developments regarding the rumoured new deals for Lacazette and Aubameyang that we heard about last spring, it wouldn’t surprise me is Aubameyang is just running down his contract, two more years of him then?
The summer of 2021 could be very interesting…
Almost 88,000 on the petition.
Afternoon, Rico and You All, 😁
Well I am surprised that the fan’s round robin letter to the Kroenkes seems to be having an effect.
Here’s what the Mirror are putting out.
—- “Josh Kroenke has given a passionate response after Arsenal fans demanded better leadership.
Gunners director Kroenke spoke out after 16 supporter groups signed a letter and launched a petition urging the ownership show they care by rebuilding the club on and off the pitch.
It comes with Arsenal facing a third successive season in the Europa League and only having £45million to spend in the transfer market to leave them in serious danger of falling further behind.
But the 39-year-old, son of the club’s owner Stan Kroenke, insisted he cares deeply and is determined to win trophies again, and revealed how he respects the “passion” of the fans despite their protests.
“For me, on a personal level, I’m not sure how to address my passion. Anyone that knows me knows how passionate I am about Arsenal Football Club,” said Josh Kroenke, who admitted he was “hurt” when he read the letter and had real emotion in his voice as he spoke.
“Absolutely. Is it hard to take? Absolutely. But I’m not in this business to make friends, I’m in it to win. If anyone is ever going to question anything about our ownership – which I view as a custodianship, the supporters trust us to be a custodian of the values — that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to win whilst also respecting the values and traditions of the club.
“I was there in Baku [as the Gunners lost to Chelsea in May’s Europa League Final, so missing out on Champions League football in the new season] on behalf of KSE [Kroenke Sports & Entertainment], my father and family. I was down there on the sidelines, on the medal podium handing out second-place medals.
“I saw the look on our coach’s face, our players and all our staff. I felt and I saw what they felt. I felt the same way.
“The most important thing about being down on the pitch is understanding that there is a resolve there. There are some people who are also pretty pissed off that we had dropped that last match. That resolve should serve us well.
“I’ve sat down with supporters’ groups. I’ve not been afraid to sit down to have tough conversations with people because I’m transparent, we’re transparent, we don’t have anything to hide. We all want the same thing and we’re all trying aggressively to make it happen. It’s just sometimes our timeline might not be as aggressive as others would like to see.
“But we’re not going to compromise the values that have kept Arsenal Football Club the way it is for over 130 years.”
One key part of the letter was an insistence that if the Kroenkes are not at every game then they should have a board and football structuring, and a call for “new and dynamic appointments.”
Josh Kroenke responded that Edu – Arsenal’s former midfielder who has now rejoined as their newly appointed technical director – is the latest in a long line of people brought in to get the club back on the right lines.
“The final piece of the puzzle, as Raul [Sanllehi, Arsenal’s head of football] said so elegantly in the release a few weeks ago, was our technical director in Edu. I’m really excited about his appointment,” he said.
“He brings not only Arsenal DNA but also a mentality that was instilled in him during the Invincible year. That championship, that Invincibles mentality, is going to serve us well now and in the future.”
Kroenke also addressed head on why they cannot just plough money into the club and also why the budget for transfers is so small this summer, with Arsenal under particular pressure to address the sky-high wage bill.
He added: “If we’re going into the finer points I’d have to defer to these guys [managing director Vinai Venkatesham and Sanllehi]. I’ve always told them we need to be as aggressive as possible.
“It’s no secret that we have a Champions League wage bill on a Europa League budget right now. That’s a fact. And one that we’re figuring out how to face internally at the moment.
“That doesn’t mean that my father or I have ever said anything about any restrictions on spending. We know where we need to be and we know the areas we need to address on the pitch.
“It’s not who you buy, it’s how you buy. There’s multiple statements to say how to skin that cat.
“While we’re not going to be in the market for some of the top players in the world at the moment whilst they are the top players, we’re actively scouting the globe to find the next big thing to become great at Arsenal Football Club. And not only will we bring them to the club, we’ll be able to retain them in the fold going forward.”
How’s them potatoes — says a lot but it means very little. 🥺
88,000? Wow.
What to make of the Ceballos rumours I wonder…
We only need 12,000 more to get the petition debated in Parliament! What do you reckon?
Josh, posh, bosh oh, and bullshit. All the right words, mostly in the right order but do we believe a word of it? Well, one, the admission that they see themselves only as ‘custodians’ of the club. Seems to suggest that they may have an end point in mind. Can we hope that it may be sooner rather than later.
Here’s hoping.
Afternoon RA.
I liked the bit about him being emotional. Yeah right…
He’s right though re the wages..
If the whole sense of disappointment surrounding the club’s support has caused him to respond then that surely must be a good thing. As to whether any action follows is something else entirely.
I’m glad he has said something though.
Me too. He’s clearly thought about his reply too. Matches what he said last year though about leaving decisions to the board, including spending imo.
Josh talks about a “sky high” wage bill, but on whose watch was that wage bill created? The Kroenkes have been in control for years and have done nothing until it became blatantly obvious that the club was on a downward spiral under Gazidis and Wenger. Now the priority seems to be not new and better players but more management executives.
Not the way to run a whelk stall, let alone a Premiership football club.
Cicero, IF the Kronks really do leave decisions to the board, then I’d imagine they had little to do with the contracts… Isn’t, or rather wasn’t that Gazidis and Wenger’s doing and exactly why Raul, Vinai and now Edu are in.
And Huss Fahmy. I forgot about him.
https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/teams/arsenal/11764494/kroenke-arsenal-fans-should-be-excited
If the wage bill is an issue, and it seems the case, why are we taking a Real player on loan?
I would say he will be costing us plenty each week.
Morning all.
Correct me if I’m wrong Rico, but aren’t Enos and his son both board members?
Cicero, I meant those here in the uk.
Scott, don’t forget we’ve already reduced our wage bill with Cech, Ramsey and Welbeck leaving. Ospina too.
Well if the petition has done anything it’s encouraged a response from KSE.
I’m not sure what else they could have said, but we’ll see by the end of the window if it’s all BS, though generally I’m glad to see that the fans do have leverage and the Kroenke’s are on notice that bullshit doesn’t work and we want to see more engagement from them.
Enos isn’t really interested in football, he’s a money man, the Rams are his baby and maybe he’s also at an age where he is passing more responsibility onto Josh and whilst I’ll reserve my judgement on him, his interview has given me a modicum of hope.
But time will tell…
A lot of our discontent is media driven, lies from agents, lies from football writers, the general spin that comes at this time of year.
Almost 100,000 on a petition is a powerful message, it could be the start of some kind of concerted pressure group that keeps KSE on their guard and I’m all for that as long as the message stays respectful, considered and realistic.
Big message Kev, food for thought for the Kroenke family that’s for sure…
New post up now