Kevin Campbell slams Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke’s ‘total disregard for the fanbase’

Kevin Campbell has expressed his disgust at Arsenal‘s involvement in the European Super League as the former Gunners star claimed the ordeal may be the final straw for supporters’ relationship with Stan Kroenke.

Arsenal joined 11 other European clubs in signing up for the breakaway league, with fans, pundits and even UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson hitting out at the scheme that threatened the existence of English football.

And amid widespread backlash the Gunners dropped out of the league on Tuesday night, a mere 48 hours after first signing up for the competition.

Kevin Campbell has slammed Arsenal’s ownership after a disastrous week for those at the club

Owner Stan Kroenke was reportedly an architect behind the failed European Super League 

Despite a grovelling apology from Josh Kroenke, son of Arsenal’s billionaire owner, Gunners fans are still furious with the actions of the ownership and on Friday swarmed the Emirates Stadium to vent their anger at the club’s hierarchy, calling for the unpopular owner to leave. 

Campbell, who spent seven years at the club, said he completely understood the frustration of supporters in the wake of the owner’s ‘disregard’ for the club and game as a whole.

‘Was I surprised? No. I was disappointed because I’m a traditionalist,’ the former striker said. ‘I’m a fan of the football club. I feel what those fans feel. The way it was done had total disregard for the fanbase. 

‘I can imagine there are lots of boiling tempers down there. Stan Kroenke has got form for not having a feeling towards the football club. 

Fans have expressed their disgust with the actions of Kroenke and have called for him to leave

Campbell dismayed at the plot and said it was ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’

‘I think that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. [It is] very difficult for Arsenal fans not to vent their anger. Considering what is going on, it is going to be a bit uneasy for them [the ownership].’

Campbell added that Kroenke Sports and Entertainment have handled the club poorly, languishing in 9th and looking unlikely to claw their way back to the summit of English football anytime soon. 

‘For me they have form of not being caring custodians of Arsenal Football Club. Fans and everybody looks at Arsenal and the regression of Arsenal has been dramatic.’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said that he ‘hears’ the disgruntled supporters after the protest

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, admitted that the protests had distracted his side from their preparations for Everton on Friday evening, but said that it was his side’s responsibility to lift the mood with a win.

‘We hear them. We know what they think. Our responsibility, our role, our commitment should be on that pitch and trying to play the best possible way to win the match and that’s it,’ he said.

‘Obviously it doesn’t help when you have your own fans trying to stand out on a match day and saying loud and clear that they are not happy with something but our job is to win a football match and when that happens everything is better. 

‘That is our way to contribute to stay in the best possible and positive way.’