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Arsenal head into the new season with no European football for the first time in 25 years, which has prompted many fans to demand a change at the very top. The calls for a takeover have been coming for a lot longer in truth, but after a serious bid in recent weeks from Spotify founder Daniel Ek, supporters are hoping that there’s light at the end of the tunnel in terms of a change of ownership.
The Kroenke family have rejected any
advances so far, with Ek tweeting recently that he’s failed in his first bid to
begin negotiations:
“Inaccurate reports emerged today
saying I have not made a bid for Arsenal Football Club. I think it’s important
to correct the record – this week an offer was made to both Josh Kroenke and their
bankers that included fan ownership, representation at board and a golden share
for the supporters. They replied that they don’t need the money. I respect
their decision but remain interested and available should that situation ever
change.”
The Gunners are currently priced at 7/1 with
leading bookmaker bet365 to finish in the top four next year, which is longer
odds than they have been in previous years. It goes to show how far they’ve
fallen in recent seasons.
However, if Arteta can bring some new
faces into the club and get them firing on all cylinders again, a Champions
League place is certainly not out of reach. There’s also a bet365 bonus code
available to new players, and at odds of 80/1 to win the Premier League with
bet365, the top four price looks a lot more appealing and realistic.
Off the pitch, Arsenal legend Patrick
Vieira is sure that Daniel Ek will bid again soon to take over the club and
help them return as a regular top-four side:
“He’s definitely going to try again,”
Vieira told the ITV Football Show when asked about it.
“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.
“And 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.
“Because in the last couple of years I
believe that the club didn’t take the right direction. I think it is time for
change. If the change doesn’t happen, I believe that Arsenal will be in a
difficult position.”
Vieira is part of the consortium
involved in the bid, and he’s fearful of Arsenal, the club he holds close to
his heart, becoming a mid-table side who occasionally flirt with relegation if
things don’t change at the top:
“We can only make a judgement from
outside,” said Vieira. “We watch every single Arsenal game, and it is difficult
to recognise the club that we used to play for.
“But we get to the time where
everybody at the club, the Kroenkes need to get more involved to take Arsenal
back where he [thinks] 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.”
With Euro 2020 upon us, it doesn’t
look like anything will materialise until this summer’s tournament is over. But
the story won’t go away. Expect Ek and the rest of the consortium to ramp up
their firm interest in the next few months heading into the 2021/22 season.
Credit:fcbusiness.co.uk
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