Stan Kroenke will always put profits before popularity, according to former Arsenal and England striker Alan Smith.
Arsenal fans are set to call for Kroenke’s departure from the club at an Emirates Stadium protest this evening.
American billionaire Kroenke, 73, claims he has no intention of selling the club despite his involvement in the ill-fated European Super League project.
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Nevertheless, before the Gunners’ game with Everton, a number of supporters are expected to express their outrage at the European Super League and general running of the club.
However, despite the prospect of former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere being involved, Smith thinks the protest will fall on deaf ears.
“I’m not sure they will concern the American one bit,” he said in his column in the Evening Standard. “So what if he’s unpopular? That’s not the point. He’ll be more concerned with the bottom line, which involves maximising profits, hence his willingness to join that dreadful breakaway.”
Stan Kroenke’s son Josh, a director at the club, admitted the hierarchy had “shredded the trust” of supporters by signing up for the Super League.
However, he claimed “over time I hope to establish some sort of relationship with our supporter groups and show them that we are capable of taking the club forward.
“When are we going to sell? I am not willing to answer that question because we have no intention of selling.”
And, with the owners seemingly entrenched, Smith believes the only way for Arsenal to heal the rifts is to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
“I can’t see Kroenke selling, unless he gets a generous offer, which seems unlikely in these difficult times,” he added.
“No, as is often the case, the best path to better times lies on the pitch where an improving young team winning football matches is enough to push the ownership issue on to the back burner.
“So it’s over to you, Mikel Arteta. Win the Europa League and Arsenal get back into the Champions League, that competition Kroenke sought to destroy.”
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