Football fans never forget.
The European Super League may be canned for now, but Arsenal supporters made their feelings known towards owner Stan Kroenke on Friday.
For many of those outside Emirates Stadium, the Super League announcement proved to be the final nail in the coffin of the fury felt towards Kroenke which has built up over a number of years.
Disengagement and disinterest are the two overriding feelings that KSE has been associated with, even if Josh Kroenke attempted some damage limitation by issuing an apology at the Fans’ Forum on Thursday following the events of the past week.
The feeling of togetherness among Arsenal supporters' hasn't been seen for such a long time. Divisions that emerged since the end of the Arsene Wenger era had finally dissipated, and the consensus among the thousands of fans was that they all wanted one thing: Kroenke out.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has been forthright in his feelings towards Kroenke this week, telling DAZN that the American billionaire is not fit for purpose, and his sentiments are felt by large swathes of the fanbase.
“I stand with them,” he said.
“I think they're right to be outside there. KSE are not fit to run the club. We've heard Josh Kroenke say that they're not going to sell the club and I wouldn’t expect them to, it’s a massive cash cow for them.
“If they’re going to stay and run the club it’s going to have to be done under different terms. The only thing he can seek solace from is the government are going to be doing a review on club ownership, everything to do with what owners like that do and don’t do.
“We’re talking about a silent owner. Since he’s been at our club he’s not invested in our club properly, the way they service their debt with the club. The fact that they wanted to go into this competition it’s like they’ve given up on us.
Amazing scenes here at Emirates Stadium as Arsenal fans continue their protest against KSE #KroenkeOut pic.twitter.com/I1e2diPWKs
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_)
“If you’re going to be an owner of a club it cost you money. If it’s going well it’s going to cost you money, if it’s not going well it’s going to cost you money. What Stan Kroenke’s done in the time he’s been at our club he’s been middle road. Anything that’s going to cost him he’s nowhere to be seen.
“I don’t think he’s fit for purpose at the club anymore. The sooner we get him out, it’s going to be tough, we’re going to have to keep pushing government to get these people to do the job properly.”
Kroenke's declaration at the Fans' Forum that he would do everything to rebuild the trust with Arsenal fans - before admitting there was never any trust in the first place - will need to be seen before its believed.
For too long there has been a disconnect between boardroom and supporter, but the events of the past week have shown that fans still have influence over their club and with momentum building, long may it continue.
