Ian Wright takes aim at Arsenal owners and has dig at Josh Kroenke

Arsenal Emirates Stadium corner flag

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has taken aim at the club’s owners over the European Super League debacle, insisting the right to play the best teams must be earned.

Wright’s comments came after club director Josh Kroenke, the son of unpopular American owner Stan, came in for some stick at fans’ forum on ThursdayArsenal were among the 12 founder clubs in the controversial breakaway competition announced on Sunday night but, like the other five Premier League clubs involved, withdrew following intense criticism on Tuesday.

Kroenke was told by prominent Arsenal Supporters Trust member Akhil Vyas at the forum: “Do you understand English football? You do not interact with fans. You have no clue.

“English football is clearly not for you. You should leave.”

And Gunners great Wright, who scored 185 goals in 288 appearances for the club between 1991 and 1998, also took aim at the Kroenke family.

He tweeted that his old club have been in decline for a number of years and that their acceptance into the Super League was a ‘cheat code’ back to the top table.

Ian Wright

Wright wrote: ‘This is what Josh doesn’t understand!! We want to play Barcelona but we want to EARN the right to play Barcelona!!!’

The European Super League would have been a closed shop for the 12 or so founding members, meaning relegation was never possible.

That was clearly too tempting for an Arsenal side that has not qualified for the Champions League for the last four years.

Another mid-table finish is looming large this term, although the club could still qualify if they win the Europa League.


Give our social media channels a follow – we’re on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram


Willian reveals Arsenal exit plan

Meanwhile, Arsenal forward Willian has revealed his plans for the remaining two years on his contract with the Gunners, with life after football also on his mind.

The Brazilian attacker, who signed on a free from Chelsea in 2020, wants to “win more trophies” with the Gunners and play for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup. Willian also revealed that he is keen to finish his playing career in MLS before retiring.

Speaking to Arsenal’s official matchday programme, Willian said: “Well, my plan is to stay at Arsenal, I have a contract here, and to win trophies.

“I have two more years here and my plan is to stay and be successful, to play and win something with the club.

Willian TEAMtalk

“I still want to achieve a lot of things. Want to win more trophies, and I want to be at the next World Cup.

“I’ll do my best to be there. But, yeah, I want to lift trophies for Arsenal – I have a lot of things in my mind that I want to achieve.

“I want to win as much as I can with the team, and go back to the national team as well.”

As well as wanting to play in the US, Willian also explained that he is preparing to become an agent.

“Whenever I have finished here, I really want to go to America and play there,” he added.

“I want to become an agent. I’m preparing myself for that profession, I’ve already started work on that.

“I want to go into that because I love football and I want to stay in the sport, I want to do a job in that area, but I don’t want to become a manager or a coach.

“I want to be slightly more outside, but still involved in football.”