Arsenal co-chairman reveals club's primary aim: "Keeping Mikel around is utmost priority"
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Reading Time: 4min | Fri. 29.05.26. | 21:17
"He's an Arsenal man through and through," says Josh Kroenke, one of the creators of the Gunners' fantastic success and Premier League triumph
The euphoria following a Premier League title that ended a 22-year wait shows no sign of fading at the Emirates Stadium, even though the Champions League final and the clash against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest (tomorrow, 19.00) is just around the corner.
Nevertheless, it's fair to say that success in the EPL was Arsenal's primary goal, while the potential UCL trophy would be just a massive bonus for the North London side.
And while the players and staff are thoroughly preparing for the epic duel against the Parisians, the Gunners' co-chair and one of the creators of the fantastic success they have made this season, Josh Kroenke, opened up to the English media (via Daily Mail).
The first inevitable topic was, naturally, the celebration of the long-awaited title. The 46-year-old businessman admitted it was unforgettable.
"In the dressing room dancing (afterwards in a suit) was probably one of the most hot and humid environments I've ever been a part of!"
"You had so many people all in there. There was champagne, there was this, there was that. And the energy was incredible."
Still, one particular moment left a strong emotional mark on Kroenke.
"To make that walk across the field with my father (and the trophy) was something I'll never forget. Those moments are invaluable."
Once Manchester City drew against Bournemouth and confirmed Arsenal's EPL triumph, Kroenke, naturally, called his father and another co-chair, Stan, first. But what about the second?
"My first phone call was to my dad, my second was to Mikel. And Mikel, and I figured he wouldn't answer right away, because he was probably doing exactly what I was doing at that moment, which was celebrating and crying with your loved ones."
One of the crucial moments in the title race between the Gunners and the Cityzens was the London side's clash against West Ham, whose wild finish will live long in the memory of all football fans.
Leandro Trossard's late winner sealed the deal for the champions, though Callum Wilson's dying-minutes equalizer was disallowed for a foul on David Raya after a ten-minute VAR review.
It was a nervy few minutes for Kroenke.
"I was on my hands and knees in my living room and just saying that I thought he closed his hand (on Raya’s arm)!"
"I am for sure watching it with red-coloured binoculars. But it was a moment where I think every Arsenal supporter worldwide held their breath. But I've had them (decisions) go against us the other way."
Patience is something relatively rare among the football club owners. Stan and Josh Kroenke had plenty of it.
They stuck with Mikel Arteta, trusted the process, and believed in him even when no one did. In the end, it paid off, as the Spaniard delivered when it mattered most, creating one of the best seasons in Arsenal's history.
"You know… it was always about the big picture. Early on, there were moments that culture got tested."
"Mikel has different metaphors on how he tries to say it: whether you’re in the boat, or you’re out of the boat. Sometimes we had people that not only were they not in the boat, but they’re underneath the water with a rope trying to pull us back, and we had to figure out who those people were and we had to snip that rope along the way."
"So the boat metaphor maybe still carries on to this day, because everybody is in that boat and everybody is rowing in the same direction."
Hence, it's no wonder that tying Arteta with a new contract is the primary aim for the Gunners' board.
"Keeping Mikel around is (an) utmost priority and I think the good news for Arsenal fans worldwide is he’s enjoying the project, he’s enjoying being here and from his time as a player all the way up until now. He’s an Arsenal man through and through," Kroenke concluded.
It's a great time to be involved with Arsenal in any capacity. And everything could become even better and move to the whole other level if they emerged victorious tomorrow. After all, the Gunners have nothing to lose.