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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Arsenal: Josh Kroenke makes transfer vow as Gunners plan big summer in bid to end trophy wait

Big summer: Josh Kroenke insists Arsenal are ready to back Mikel Arteta - (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke says the club will invest in the squad this summer as they strive to win major trophies.

The Gunners wait for silverware is now at five years after they failed to win a trophy this season.

Kroenke has praised the way Arsenal have handled challenges this season, such as multiple injuries to key players, but he admits they have “fallen short” of what they wanted to achieve.

And, in a message to supporters ahead of Sunday’s game with Newcastle at Emirates Stadium, Kroenke has told supporters that investment is coming as Arsenal bid to end their trophy drought next season.

“As a club, we’re striving to win major trophies and, on the men’s front, we know we have fallen short of what we all wanted this season,” said Kroenke.

“Despite not reaching the Champions League final in Munich, our run to the semi-final of the competition still created some of our best nights this season.

“Our match here against Real Madrid was one of the best games and the most electric atmospheres we’ve experienced at Emirates Stadium. The game we played at the Bernabeu will no doubt live forever with those lucky enough to have been there.

“Mikel and his coaching staff, as well as the players, faced some challenges throughout the season and I want to give credit to the way they managed in these circumstances. It’s in these moments you learn the most.

“Today, they will give everything to produce the result that confirms Champions League qualification for a third successive season. We’re still pursuing second place in the Premier League for the third year running, but we all want to win it.

“We plan to invest to get behind winning and doing better next season. We’re delighted we have our sporting director, Andrea [Berta], who will play an important role in this.

“He is part of a unified and strong team, supported by the board, who are crystal clear on exactly what we need to do and the way in which we want to do it. The right way. The Arsenal way.

“Ultimately, we all want the same thing. We’re as hungry for success as you are and that goes for everyone who works for the club.”

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