IAN WRIGHT has claimed the Kroenke family ‘are not fit to run’ Arsenal as he backed supporters’ protests.
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.
A huge group expressed their outrage at the failed European Super League breakaway attempt and general running of the club in North London on Friday.
Fans HUNG an effigy of Stan Kroenke outside the ground prior to Bernd Leno’s own goal gifting the Toffees the points.
Now the legendary Gunners striker, who has tweeted ‘Kroenke Out’ this week, has further offered his backing for the American chief to sell up.
Wright told Dazn: “I stand with them. I made it clear what I think about the owner. I think they’re right to be outside there.
“The statement from the manager as well, fans have every right to be out there saying what they’re saying.
“KSE are not fit, for me, not fit to run the club, not fit to own the club. We’ve heard Josh Kroenke saying they’re not selling the club – and I wouldn’t expect them to, it’s a massive cash cow for them.
“But if they are going to stay and run the club then it’s going to have to be done under different terms.
“The only thing I can seek solace from is that the Government are going to be doing a review on club ownership. Everything to do with what owners like that do and what they don’t do.”
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Wright added: “We’re talking about a silent owner, since he’s been at our club he’s not invested properly in the way they buy at the club, the way they service the debt with the club.
“The fact they wanted to go into this competition… it’s like they’ve given up on us. If you’re the owner of a club, it’s going to 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 has done since he’s been at our club is be middle road. Anything that’s going to cost him, he’s nowhere to be seen.
“That’s what we can’t have anymore. I don’t think he’s fit for purpose at the club anymore.
“The sooner we can get him out – which is going to be tough, that’s why if we can’t get someone like him out we’re going to have to go towards the government and keep them pushing to get legislation to get these people to do the job properly.”
American billionaire Kroenke, 73, joined the board of the Premier League outfit in 2008 and became majority shareholder three years later.
Supporters remain determined to see Kroenke and son Josh, a club director, leave the Gunners.
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.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
