Odds and Sods

ESPN, and other outlets, are reporting that Arsenal’s board have softened their harsh stance toward potential investor Stan Kroenke, after actually meeting with him.

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood had previously stated “We do not need his money and we do not need his sort” in reference to Kroenke.  But, after the meeting, Hill-Wood changed his tune, stating that “(the meeting) went perfectly well” and “I hope we will be able to work with him in the future just as we would with any interested people.”  Manager Arsene Wenger is believed to be a key figure in Hill Wood’s change of heart.

This change of heart is a positive step forward for the club.  The initial attitude of the Arsenal board stank of rampant and unfounded Anti-Americanism, which, given the opinions spouted  regarding Beckham’s move to MLS and Lalas’ comments, appears to be quite en vogue at the moment (Not like the British have ever been in shown in the past to presume themselves unbiased arbiters and pontificate about things they don’t know that much about).

Kroenke is not another Glazer.  His wife is an heir to the Walmart fortune.  He doesn’t need the money.  This isn’t Glazer buying the club as a money-making enterprise and saddling the club with a lot of debt.  Kroenke owns three major American sports franchises, the St. Louis Rams, the Colorado Avalanche, and the Denver Nuggets (all of whom have become more successful and been some of the best run teams in their prospective sports.  He has also been at the center of innovation, investing in both Arena Football and Professional Lacrosse, which are both rapidly incresing in popularity in the States.

Most importantly, he is a soccer guy.  The Colorado Rapids have improved under his tenure.  The club has done a lot of work in the Denver area with youth programs etc.  They have a beautiful brand new soccer-only facility.  He entered into an innovative and mutually lucrative relationship with Arsenal to begin with, which could see more money being invested into the development of domestic American talent.  He has allowed a section in the new stadium called “the Front Range” for the hardcore supporters to have the ultra experience (A concept near and dear to English hearts, who are fed up with the forced sitting and lack of atmosphere).

This is not Glazer or Gillet and Hicks knowing nothing about English Football and milking every bit of cash they can out of the club.  He is competent, innovative, and has displayed through his previous enterprises the willingness to build the foundations for long-term success.  He may have an atrociously bad hair-cut, but he deserves a chance.

More importantly, he has a lot of money, which the club could most certainly use.  Manchester United and Chelsea are in danger of breaking off from the rest of the pack.  Sir Alex has already spent over 50mGBP and the transfer window hasn’t even opened yet.  If Abramovich is in the mood, Chelsea have no limits on their spending.  Equally important, clubs like Tottenham and Aston Villa are getting more investment and have ambitions of qualifying for Europe every season and supplanting Arsenal in the Champions League.

Arsenal need to be able to keep up with these clubs, or risk losing the elite talent that they have. Wenger and his scouts have been arguably the best club in Europe at finding and developing young talent into elite caliber players, but to mount a title challenge they need the resources to go out and buy a Porsche every once in a while to supplement the young nucleus that they have.  When even Darren Bent is drawing bids of 17mGBP, they are going to need a substantial amount of cash, and that is probably going to require outside investment.

The Arsenal board, as well as Gunners supporters, held/hold irrational fears about an American takeover that would allegedly destroy the traditions of the club.   They need to hold onto Wenger to keep players like Fabregas, attract elite players to the club, and continue the development of a promising young team.  To do that, they need to have a chance to win the Premier League, and that is going to require substantial investment.  While other clubs are considering corrupt Thai politicians as bed partners, a responsible steward like Kroenke would not be a half-bad idea.