Stan and Josh Kroenke take on new Arsenal roles: "This is a simple evolution"

The owners are to become co-chairs of club as part of a boardroom shuffle designed to, according to Stan Kroenke, help the Gunners' "objective and ambition” to “compete for trophies at the highest level”

Arsenal majority owner Stan Kroenke and son Josh have taken on new titles as part of a reshuffle at board level.

The pair are to become co-chairs with Arsenal confirming in a statement that existing director Tim Lewis will become executive vice-chair.

Kroenke senior described the moves as a “simple evolution” in a statement, adding that “stability in football has never been more important” and their “objective and ambition” to “compete for trophies at the highest level” will “never waver.”

Disquiet with the American owners has disappeared now Mikel Arteta’s team lead the Premier League following a transfer spend of almost £320m in the past two years that has transformed the squad.

There had been sustained calls from supporters for Kroenke to sell up, peaking during the European Super League debacle in April 2021. But those demands for change have fallen silent.

Stan Kroenke said: “This is a simple evolution as part of us all driving Arsenal forward and further reaffirms our family’s long-standing commitment to this great club. Stability in football has never been more important as we move past the pandemic, and we believe this is the perfect time to formalise these roles.

“Our objectives and ambition will never waver - to field teams that compete for trophies at the highest level and lead our club in a way that inspires our passionate supporters around the world.

“Supported by our Director, Phil Harris, and together with our Executive Team and all our wonderful people, we have an incredible opportunity to build on the values and traditions of Arsenal Football Club.”

Arsenal’s latest financial accounts showed that they made a post-tax loss of £45.5 million for the year ending 31 May 2022. But that figure was severely impacted by an absence of European football.

Arteta’s side take on Sporting Lisbon in the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 tie at the Emirates tomorrow evening having drawn the first leg 2-2.

Earlier this week sporting director Edu, speaking to Sky Sports at the London Football Awards, said that previous tough decisions made by the club in recent years - including major surgery to the squad that saw high earners and under-performers such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang moved on - is now beginning to pay off.

“People made some jokes about our process but we were quite clear about what we went through. We knew we’d go through challenging periods, unpopular decisions that would cause some instability but we internally were together in terms of understanding the process. We are where we are.

“There’s still a lot of things to do but also we’re very happy and proud to see where we are now as a club.”