Josh Kroenke has opened up on several key moments behind Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning campaign while reflecting on the club’s long rebuild under Mikel Arteta.
The Arsenal co-chair admitted he experienced the emotions of the season in the same way supporters did, revealing he “scared the hell” out of his newly adopted puppy during Max Dowman’s dramatic winner against West Ham United.
Kroenke also recalled being on his hands and knees in his living room during the closing stages of Arsenal’s tense victory at the London Stadium as the title race reached its climax.
The American insisted both he and his father, Stan Kroenke, have always been emotionally invested in Arsenal despite years of criticism from supporters during difficult periods.
Kroenke admitted Arsenal’s ownership made mistakes during the early years following their takeover, particularly during the period after Arsene Wenger’s departure.
He described the transition after Wenger, combined with structural changes at boardroom level, as “too much change in too short a period of time”.
The Arsenal co-chair revealed the 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in the 2019 Europa League final became a turning point for the ownership.
Kroenke explained that was the moment the club accepted it might need to “take a step back to go forward” before rebuilding properly around a younger squad and a stronger long-term structure.
He also credited former Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick for helping guide the ownership through that difficult phase.
Kroenke praised Arteta for completely transforming the culture inside the club rather than simply improving the team tactically.
He explained Arsenal spent years removing negative influences inside the dressing room as Arteta rebuilt standards across the organisation.
“Everybody is in the boat now and rowing in the same direction,” Kroenke said.
The Arsenal chief also revealed how former captain Per Mertesacker played a major role in the club’s pursuit of William Saliba years ago.
Following Arsenal’s defeat in Baku, Kroenke asked who the best young defender in Europe was and Mertesacker immediately pointed to Saliba.
Kroenke also described the £105m signing of Declan Rice as another major statement of Arsenal’s ambition to compete for the biggest honours again.
Despite finally winning the Premier League title, Kroenke insisted Arsenal have no intention of slowing down.
The co-chair confirmed keeping Arteta at the club remains an “utmost priority” with fresh talks expected over a new contract this summer.
Kroenke also promised Arsenal would continue strengthening the squad as they aim to remain at the top of English football and challenge for the Champions League in the years ahead.
