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Arsenal fans HANG EFFIGY and call on Stan Kroenke to quit as thousands protest outside Emirates as police intervene


POLICE were forced to intervene as thousands of Arsenal fans gathered at the Emirates to call for Stan Kroenke’s departure ahead of the defeat to Everton on Friday.

Groups of supporters expressed their outrage at the failed European Super League breakaway attempt and general running of the club in North London on Friday.

Cops had to be called as angry Arsenal fans protested at the EmiratesCredit: Getty
A Stan Kroenke effigy was strung up outside the Emirates as furious fans protestedCredit: Guardian News & Media
Arsenal fans gathered at the Emirates to launch a furious protest on FridayCredit: Getty
Gooners are demanding the Kroenke family leave the North London clubCredit: Reuters
A fan scaled the ticket office roof with a flareCredit: AFP
Supporters are furious over the attempted European Super League breakawayCredit: Reuters
Furious Arsenal fans now went their American owners to sell-upCredit: AFP
An Arsenal supporters lets off a red flare outside the stadium before the clash with EvertonCredit: Reuters
Thousands came together in North London to show their anger towards the Arsenal chiefsCredit: Reuters
Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno would later score an own goal to gift Everton the pointsCredit: Guardian News & Media

Fans HUNG an effigy of Stan Kroenke outside the ground prior to Bernd Leno’s own goal gifting the Toffees the points.

And police had to be called in as some began climbing onto the ticket office roof and throwing flares.

Images showed one fan being carried away by paramedics on a stretcher, although the severity of the injury is not yet known.

American billionaire Kroenke, 73, joined the board of the Premier League outfit in 2008 and became majority shareholder three years later.

In that time the side have won four FA Cups but slipped out of title contention, and are set to miss out on a top-four finish for the fifth year in a row.

Already-brewing fan discontent exploded during the week as ninth-placed Arsenal signed up to the European Super League plot.

Protests across all six of the English sides committed to the project led to its collapse and the Gunners’ board was forced to apologise but vowed to remain in charge.

However, supporters remain determined to see Kroenke and son Josh, a club director, leave the Gunners and vented their anger towards them tonight.

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A fan receives treatment for an injury during a protest against ArsenalCredit: PA
Arsenal director Josh (left) and owner Stan Kroenke (right) have been slated by GoonersCredit: Getty


MORE ON SUPER LEAGUE OUTRAGE


A red flare was let off as hundreds descended outside Arsenal’s home, with many carrying banners demanding ‘Kroenke Out’.

Things escalated as several individuals then climbed on top of the ticket office roof and let off more flares.

It comes after all six English clubs who had signed to play in the European Super League confirmed they were no longer following through with the rebel plans.

Tottenham joined Chelsea, Manchester City, United, Arsenal and Liverpool to announce their split in separate statements.

But their supporters protested outside of the Tottenham Stadium on Wednesday to demand Daniel Levy resign.

That followed dramatic scenes outside Stamford Bridge on Tuesday as mass crowds vented their anger at the idea of a breakaway ESL.

Team buses were blocked from arriving at the ground and Blues legend Petr Cech had to personally plead with fans to allow players to enter the area.

A wreath alongside a stern message towards the Kroenke family was laid outside the groundCredit: The Sun
Angry supporters had started gathering from around 5pm in North LondonCredit: The Sun
They have now firmly declared ‘war’ against the Kroenke familyCredit: The Sun
A doll with a sign around its necking reading ‘Silence Stan?’ was hung up outsideCredit: The Sun

Speaking to a supporters’ forum on Thursday night, Arsenal’s Josh Kroenke admitted the ESL was a major error but insisted his family will not sell up.

He stated: “We were put in a very difficult position by forces outside of the club and we got it wrong.

“All of our trust was shredded this week, I understand that, but I still believe that we are fit to carry on in our positions as custodians of Arsenal.

“I might be met with scepticism but over time I hope to establish some sort of relationship with our supporter groups and show them that we are capable of taking the club forward.

“When are we going to sell? I am not willing to answer that question because we have no intention of selling.”

Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham reportedly rang around the other 14 Premier League clubs to say sorry for the ESL debacle.

Following a meeting with players to explain the club’s position, he extended his apologies to the fans.

Venkatesham said: “Arsenal were categorically not the authors or drivers of this Super League proposal but that does not excuse what happened.

“What was clear to us was the train was leaving the station. The project was about to be launched with some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

“Due to concerns about us being left behind, we made the decision to join. But it became immediately apparent that we made not only a bad decision but a terrible one.

“We immediately got out as quickly as we possibly could and now we need to say sorry to lots of people.”

Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

Arteta claims Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has apologised to him and players over European Super League farce


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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