Patrick Vieira has repeated his call for Stan Kroenke to leave Arsenal , saying that the club faces “a critical moment” which could define its future.
Along with Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry, Vieira was one of the former ‘Invincibles’ who backed Daniel Ek when he announced his intention to buy the club last month.
The Swedish billionaire, who made much of his fortune from music streaming service Spotify, came onto the scene amid fan protests against Kroenke’s ownership, instigated by Arsenal ’s involvement in the failed European Super League breakaway.
Ek released a statement earlier this month confirming that his first official bid for the club had been rejected by the Kroenkes. “I respect their decision but remain interested and available should that situation ever change,” he said.
Since then, Bergkamp has given an interview suggesting that Ek is “not a quitter” . Vieira has also reiterated his support for Ek’s takeover, claiming that “he is the right person to bring happiness back to this football club” .
Now, speaking on the ITV Football Podcast, Vieira has again called for Kroenke to hand over the reins.
“In the last couple of years I believe that the club didn’t take the right direction,” he said. “I think it is time for change.
“If the change doesn’t happen, I believe that Arsenal will be in a difficult position.
“We can only make a judgement from outside. We watch every single Arsenal game and it is difficult to recognise the club that we used to play for.
Should Stan Kroenke sell Arsenal? Comment below
“It’s difficult to understand the reasons why Arsenal went down the last couple of years but obviously losing Arsene [Wenger] and not finding the right sort of crew to handle the fact that Arsene wasn’t there [were important].
“And I think every single year Arsenal didn’t get through to the Champions League or even this year to the Europa League. So this is a big disappointment for all of us as Arsenal fans.
“But we get to the time where everybody at the club [and] the Kroenkes need to get more involved to take Arsenal back where the club should be.
“If that’s not the case, I think it is time for them to let the club go and let somebody else take care of the football club.”
Vieira also suggested that Ek is ready to come in with another offer for the club. “He’s definitely going to try again,” he said.
“He is going to be there for quite a long time. He’s a massive Arsenal fan. And, talking to him a couple of times, his desire and his commitment to Arsenal Football Club will be fantastic.
“Obviously, if the club is not for sale there is nothing that he can do but he’s going to be there and he’s going to wait and he wants to buy the club.
“I think it will be really important because Arsenal is in a critical moment. For me, it is the right time for him to do his maximum or to do what is possible to buy the club.”
Ek is a controversial figure within the music industry, with Spotify often criticised for how little musicians and artists are remunerated for their work.
The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust have called for fundamental changes to the club’s ownership structure to incorporate some form of fan ownership, with a 50+1 voting rights model – similar to that used in the Bundesliga – among their suggestions.
They have also called for supporter representation on the board, greater transparency and the appointment of independent non-executive directors.
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