Henry Winter: Arsenal's new owner could nudge Ars Wenger in the right direction
Not all the stars in pinstripes invading Premier League boardrooms are bringers of doom and debt.
Transfer ditherer: Arsene Wenger needs someone to help him be more decisive in the transfer market Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Henry Winter 8:00AM BST 11 Apr 2011
Henry's Twitter
Comments
For all the unloved likes of Tom Hicks, George Gillett and the Glazers, there are good Americans like Randy Lerner and John W Henry. Time will tell but Stan Kroenke appears to belong in the latter pair’s company.
Four years ago, Kroenke was famously dismissed by Arsenal’s chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, as “not our sort” yet he actually seems to fit into the club’s ethos of evolution ahead of revolution, of owners behaving with a touch of class. “Silent Stan” is certainly not flashy. The mere act of his takeover will end any uncertainty in the boardroom and Arsenal have always prided themselves on their stability.
Any arms-across-the-ocean welcome to Kroenke must inevitably come with certain caveats. For all the desire to “sweat the crest”, maximising Arsenal’s commercial potential globally, the club must not lose sight of long-standing principles that have guided them so well.
Ticket prices have already risen too high, for instance. Supporters’ concerns must be listened to. Encouragingly, Kroenke has been in contact with fans’ organisations, indicating that he is Arsenal’s “sort”.
So much is right about the Arsenal. The stadium is excellent. The community scheme is exceptional. The academy unearths occasional gems.
Where Kroenke can take Arsenal forward is by working with Arsène Wenger to quicken the pursuit of trophies. Kroenke is not the sort to accept second place.
In turn, Wenger is hardly the type to appreciate any interference but Arsenal have prospered most when the manager liaised with David Dein.
They moved quickly and adroitly in the transfer market.
Wenger, who can dither, particularly over buying goalkeepers, sometimes just needs a gentle nudge from the board, reminding him that funds are available for a commanding centre-half or an experienced keeper. Dein was adept at doing this.
The former vice-chairman would relish a return to the club he loves but some within the building may not be so keen. At the very least, Kroenke should talk to Dein for advice on how best to forge a strong working relationship with Wenger.
If the takeover looks promising for Arsenal, there has to be certain reservations for the Premier League itself. The top four clubs are now all in foreign hands, which is not necessarily a bad thing in itself (as some English owners are dreadful), but it means another stride down the road to the Premier League being run from the Everglades, Denver, Abu Dhabi or a super-yacht moored off Monaco.
American sports are beginning to stage competitive games overseas as seen recently and successfully with the NFL at Wembley. The Premier League must never, ever host games abroad. It must remain true to its English roots, its connection with the terrace community that has made it so popular.
Telegraph.feedsportal.com
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder