At a Glance:
Arsenal have just been crowned Premier League champions and are in the Champions League final.
Despite this, Josh Kroenke insists they will strengthen further this summer.
The co-chair also insists that a new contract for Mikel Arteta is a priority.
Josh Kroenke has given Arsenal supporters a strong signal that the club do not intend to ease off after winning the Premier League, with squad strengthening and Mikel Arteta’s contract both now firmly on the agenda.
The Gunners are a day away from facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, but the ownership are already talking about what comes after a potentially historic double.
Eager to build a dynasty over the next few years, more ambitious moves and spending are being mapped out by those at the top of the club.
Josh Kroenke on transfers and Mikel Arteta contract
Kroenke told a small group of Arsenal supporters that the Gunners will look to keep improving the squad rather than treat the current success as a finish line, while tying Arteta down to a new deal is being treated as a major priority by the club’s owners.
“We’re going to look to strengthen because we know that teams around us are going to get better,” he added.
“If you’re not trying to continually evolve and improve, you’re standing still.
“We think we have a chance here. We have very strong foundations in place to continue to build and try to sustain. Getting the foundations in place is usually the hardest part of the journey and now we have that, it is about trying to stay at the top, and knowing everyone is trying to climb the mountain after you.
“Keeping Mikel around is [an] utmost priority and I think the good news for Arsenal fans worldwide is he’s enjoying the project, he’s enjoying being here and from his time as a player all the way up until now, he’s an Arsenal man through and through
“If there is a singular person you can trace this all back to, I’m going to give 100% credit to Mikel, his staff and the players. Those are the ones. As much as Mikel is putting together our tactics, the players have got to go play the games, they’ve got to go and win for you.”
That matters because Arteta’s current contract is due to run until the end of next season. Sky Sports report that Arsenal are optimistic about securing his future, while talks are expected to resume after the campaign is complete.
This is extremely encouraging news for Arsenal fans
For Arsenal supporters, this is the kind of ownership message that should land well, provided it is followed by action.
The temptation after a title win can be to admire the work already done. Kroenke’s comments point in the opposite direction. Arsenal have just ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League and are one win from becoming European champions for the first time, but the stated plan is still to strengthen, evolve and sustain.
That is exactly the right tone. The squad is excellent, but it is not perfect. Arsenal have carried injury problems, had major selection debates in attack, and needed huge depth to stay alive across the biggest weeks of the season. If the Kroenkes and Andrea Berta believe this is a genuine win window, the summer cannot be passive.
The Arteta piece is just as important. Whatever supporters think about individual decisions, the wider direction under him is obvious. Arsenal have gone from drift and frustration to champions of England with a Champions League final still to play. Letting his deal run too close to its final year would only invite noise the club does not need.
For now, though, Arsenal fans can take this as a timely sign that the club’s owners understand the moment. Winning one title is huge. Behaving like champions afterwards is the next test.