Josh Kroenke on Arsenal's Rise: From Fan Fury to Premier League Glory and Beyond

Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke has given a revealing account of how the club moved from supporter anger and protest to Premier League champions, while also laying out plans for a sustained era of success. Speaking at length about the journey, he described the title as both a release and a validation of the long-term strategy that was put in place after years of instability.

Kroenke said the emotional highs and lows of the season were felt just as intensely in his own home as they were in the stands. He recalled celebrating Max Dowman’s breakaway goal against Everton so wildly that he startled a new puppy, and described tense moments from defeats and VAR checks that had him on his knees in his living room. For him, the title run was not a detached ownership project but a deeply personal experience.

Turning point

The co-chair traced Arsenal’s journey back to the years after the Kroenke family completed their full takeover. Fan protests, the departure of Arsène Wenger, Ivan Gazidis’s exit and a difficult transition to Unai Emery created what he called too much change in too short a time. The low point, he said, was the 4-1 Europa League final loss to Chelsea in Baku, which forced the family to accept that Arsenal might need to step back before moving forward.

That realization led to a clearer long-term approach built around youth, structure and patience. Kroenke pointed to the signing of William Saliba as an early example of this thinking, recalling how former academy director Per Mertesacker identified the defender as the best young centre-back in Europe. Saliba’s eventual emergence after loan spells became a symbol of the club’s faith in its process and in Mikel Arteta’s judgment.

Backing Arteta

Kroenke described Arteta as the figure who gave the project its identity, saying the manager helped transform Arsenal from a soft-centred team into one of the most competitive sides in Europe. He also stressed that the family’s role was to understand the “why” behind major decisions, not to interfere with football operations. That philosophy, he said, allowed the club to build accountability while giving Arteta and his staff room to work.

The family’s backing became more visible as Arsenal entered their title window. Declan Rice’s record move in 2023 was a major step, and last summer’s £250m-plus recruitment drive was designed to give Arteta both quality and depth. Kroenke said the club are now in a position where they expect to compete like their other sports franchises in the United States, with championship-level standards rather than just potential.

Dynasty thinking

Arsenal’s title has shifted the club’s ambitions again. Kroenke said there is now a real chance to dominate, but only if the standards and culture stay intact. He believes the hardest part — building the foundations — is done, and that the next step is sustaining success while others try to climb after them.

That thinking extends beyond the pitch. Kroenke confirmed discussions are under way about expanding the Emirates Stadium, while also expressing optimism about extending Arteta’s contract. With the Champions League final still to come and a trophy parade expected in Islington, Arsenal’s owners are already planning for a future that looks far more ambitious than the one that existed during the protest years.

Arsenal, in Kroenke’s telling, are no longer a club trying to rediscover itself. They are now