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Football London
Football London
Sport
Layth Yousif

Arsenal fans launch social media protest against Stan Kroenke amid anger over transfer strategy

Prominent Arsenal fan groups have united in a bid to force owner Stan Kroenke to take more of an interest in the club.

In a strong open letter to the Gunners American owner they want Kroenke, known as 'Silent Stan', to take action to reinvigorate the club through better leadership rather than use the north London giants as an investment vehicle.

Fans fear the club is falling behind on and off the pitch while they say they have never felt more marginalised.

In the document seen by football.london passionate fans also demanded a clear strategic vision from the absentee owner, while asking for Kroenke's company KSE to be more open and accountable under the hashtag #WeCareDoYou.

"Arsenal are at a crossroads. Things need to change," the letter says. "It is sad that an institution like Arsenal FC has such passive ownership. All of us want to see a clear sense of purpose and direction.

"KSE should start by being more open and accountable and explain how they intend to achieve the goal of winning the game's major trophies.

"If Kroenke is going to be absent from London he needs to make sure the board he delegates is fit for purpose. There is a desperate need for some new and dynamic appointments."

The club finished fifth last season, failing to qualify for the riches of the Champions League, missing out on vital revenue.

With Arsenal only having a transfer budget of around £40m to spend this summer the club's player recruitment strategy also comes under attack in a hard-hitting open letter to the American.

They accuse the American of failing to have a coherent strategy in terms of recruitment. 

"The approach to both buying players and paying wages looks uncoordinated and appears to lack strategy," it says.

"There has also been a lot of turnover among senior football personnel. A strong board would be proactively managing this." 

They also accuse the club of 'greed' as supporter fears grow of a proposed European Super League through the 'franchisation' of football among elite clubs such as Arsenal while also calling for improved ticketing measures and supporter representation on the boad.

The signatories are made up of groups, individuals, blogs and publications including Arseblog, Arsenal Armed Forces Supporters Club, Arsenal Supporters Trust, (AST), Black Scarf Movement (BSM), Highbury Library, Highbury Squad, Gooner Fanzine, Goonerholic, Gunners Town, Gunnerblog, RedAction, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon and You Are My Arsenal. 

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