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Arsenal chief Stan Kroenke: why sacking Arsene Wenger would have been the EASY

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Speaking exclusively on the eve of the Gunners’ AGM, the US businessman insists their manager of 21 years remains the “right guy” for the job.

Stan Kroenke has insisted Arsenal took the harder decision in standing by Arsene Wenger.

Majority shareholder Kroenke claimed it is “easy to change coaches”, but says manager Wenger remains the “right guy” and is “more focused” than ever on winning major trophies.

The 68-year-old Frenchman, who has been in charge since 1996, came under severe pressure last season amid a fierce fan backlash. But Arsenal stood firm and gave the Frenchman a new two-year contract after he won the FA Cup for a third time in four seasons.

Kroenke, in a rare exclusive interview with the Daily Mirror before the club’s AGM on Thursday, said: “Arsene is strong, he’s focused and I think he showed through all that.

Arsenal fans at West Brom last season calling for Wenger AND Kroenke to go (Image: Action Images via Reuter).

“We always evaluate, and it’s fair to look at all the factors involved. But when you make decisions like that, you are weighing lots of different factors, but you hope that you weigh them correctly and come out with the right decision. I think we did.

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“It’s easy to change coaches and people do it all the time. But the hardest thing is to replicate success and remain competitive.

“You have to approach it with clear-headedness, calmness, thinking for the long term rather than the short-term. An easy answer is it’s easy to do something. It’s harder not to do something.

“Arsenal is a great club – it’s been here for 130 years. We talked earlier about what a great club it is.

“When you have someone that passionate, when you get one who has really demonstrated that level of excellence – a good character – do you say: ‘Hey, we should get rid of him or we should make a change’?

“They have truly demonstrated a level of excellent throughout many many periods of ups and downs – because there are always going to be them. This is competing at an extremely high level.

“I think both sides have to get comfortable as they move forward. It takes both sides, not just us.

“I’m sure he was thinking through if he wants to go on. If I see anything, then I think he is more focused than ever – when I’m around him. Focused on winning. I really think I do see that more than ever. He wants to win these things.

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“He’s really focused and really smart, he wants to win the things we are talking about.

“We have dealt with this a lot in different organisations and we just think that Arsene is doing a great job and he’s the right guy.

“We have a lot of respect for Arsene — we are not going to be pushy about things. I think he treated us with respect as well and always has.

“We feel really strongly about Arsene.”

Arsenal director Josh Kroenke, Stan’s son, added: “I think it speaks volumes as to who Arsene is as a manager.

“Obviously there was some adversity the club was facing at different points.

“But, coming down the stretch, when there was an extreme amount of adversity from an external standpoint, on the players, on the club, on Arsene, the group came together and really rallied down the stretch not only for themselves but for Arsene.

“I think three out of four FA Cups is pretty darn good.”

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Osimhen Crowned 2023 CAF Footballer of the Year

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Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, cementing his status as one of the world’s top players.

Osimhen surpassed competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah for the prestigious award.

The Super Eagles forward concluded a remarkable year in the imperial Moroccan city of Marakesh, ending Nigeria’s 24-year wait for Africa’s top individual prize, last won by legendary Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.

During the event, Osimhen expressed gratitude, acknowledging the impact of Nigerian legend Emmanuel Amuneke, who coached him at the U-17 level, and the support from fans and fellow players.

“It’s a dream come true for me. I want to thank everyone who has seen me through life’s journey, in achieving my dreams and goals. I appreciate Nigerians and Africa for their unwavering support and encouragement,” he said.

Osimhen recognised the influence of Emmanuel Adebayo, Solomon Kalu, and other African legends, expressing gratitude to his role model, Didier Drogba.

The award reflects Osimhen’s outstanding performances with Napoli, where he played a pivotal role in their Serie A title run, scoring 26 league goals and becoming the first African to win the top scorer award, breaking George Weah’s record in the Italian top-flight.”

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Lionel Messi Secures Historic 8th Ballon d’Or Triumph

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Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine football icon, clinched the coveted 2023 Ballon d’Or, setting a new record for the 2022 World Cup champion.

In a glamorous event held in Paris, Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, received the prestigious award on Monday night. This achievement is widely seen as a well-deserved recognition for his pivotal role in guiding the Abiscelete to World Cup victory in the previous year.

Aged 36, Messi succeeded Karim Benzema as the recipient of this award, which acknowledges his exceptional performances during the last season when he inspired Argentina to triumph at the World Cup.

His remarkable displays in Qatar, where he led his nation to a historic victory, enabled him to surpass strong competition, notably from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Haaland secured the second spot in the final voting, with Mbappe finishing third and Kevin De Bruyne taking fourth place.

Messi, a former Barcelona superstar, left an indelible mark at the World Cup, scoring seven crucial goals. His exceptional performance led to him being named the tournament’s best player, especially after Argentina’s victory over France in the final.

While Messi’s World Cup heroics were undeniable, his final season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was relatively lackluster. Subsequently, he made a move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

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His former PSG teammate, Mbappe, made a strong case for the Ballon d’Or with his outstanding World Cup performance, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including a memorable hat-trick in the final for France.

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland had a remarkable season, scoring an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City. This stellar performance played a pivotal role in helping Pep Guardiola’s team secure a historic treble in the English Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

Both Haaland and De Bruyne were nominated for the Ballon d’Or from their exceptional contributions to the success of Manchester City.

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“B Sample Reveals Presence of Testosterone in Pogba’s Test Results”

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Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba’s ‘B’ sample has confirmed the presence of testosterone, a source close to the case told AFP on Friday.

The 30-year-old former Manchester United player, a World Cup winner in 2018, faces a ban of up to four years.

The original test by the Italian anti-doping agency (Nado) showed the presence of testosterone metabolites.

On Friday, Pogba learned that the analysis of his B sample, carried out on the previous day, had produced the same result.

The player’s entourage declined to comment.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, Pogba is liable to a four-year suspension, which could be halved if he proves that he was not at fault.

The ban could even be limited to a few months if the use of the substance took place “out of competition and is not related to his level of performance”.

Pogba’s representatives said last month that the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States.

Testosterone promotes muscle development.

Contacted by AFP, Nado was unable to confirm this information “due to a decision by the Italian privacy authority”.

Pogba has seven days to submit his defence to Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal, which will investigate his case and request a sanction, a process that could take several weeks.

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In addition to the proceedings of the Italian sports justice system, a judicial investigation will be opened by the Turin public prosecutor’s office, as doping is a criminal offence in Italy.

Since the announcement of his positive test, Pogba has been unable to train with Juventus, the club to which he returned in July 2022 after six seasons with United.

The announcement came shortly before Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri’s press conference on the eve of the Turin derby against Torino, at which he simply said he was “sorry for Paul”.

Contacted by AFP, the club, which has also suspended payment of his estimated annual salary of 8 million euros (8.4 million dollars), did not respond.

Pogba started the season attempting to bounce back from string of injuries last season and from summer surgery.

His sample was reportedly taken at his club’s opening match of the Serie A season, a win at Udinese on August 20, during which he was an unused substitute.

After the first sample tested positive on September 11,  Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said she was “awaiting the second sample and cannot have an opinion before the results”.

“What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule,” she added.

 

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