Arsenal sporting director was inspired by Josh Kroenke's message and showcase of his championship rings as the club aimed to win its first Premier League title
06:00, 29 May 2026
Josh Kroenke used his American sports franchise championship rings to inspire Andrea Berta into an Arsenal transfer frenzy
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Josh Kroenke used his American sports franchise championship rings to inspire Andrea Berta into an Arsenal transfer frenzy(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))
Josh Kroenke showed Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta his championship rings, which inspired a summer leading to the Premier League trophy. North American sports teams have plenty of fanfare, from half-time shows, opening ceremonies, t-shirt cannons, cheerleaders and more.
Yet for those who are lucky enough to succeed, one of the great traditions is the championship rings made for winning sides across sports. Kroenke Sports Entertainment has a vast portfolio of different sports under its umbrella, and while Arsenal have waited 22 years for a league title, their sister clubs in the KSE network have won plenty over recent years.
To succeed, Arsenal combined their existing quality with the summer additions and heading up their recruitment was new sporting director Andrea Berta. Formerly of Atletico Madrid, where he helped Diego Simeone to many trophies, he has, in his first season in a new role, spent big and received big rewards from it with a title and Champions League final.
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“Andrea has won things,” Josh explained. “He’s been around the business for many years. Coming into the Premier League was a new experience for him, but we’ve had some good moments too.”
But it was the championship rings Josh explains which caught the eye of Berta. He tells the story of not only how they inspired him but that it was indeed his aim to say that these were what KSE was all about: winning.
“When he first joined, I was here, and I actually had dinner with some people. It’s not often I really ever do anything like this, but Andrea was there, and I had brought them for a separate reason just to show them to some friends.
“I went into Andrea, and I laid out our championship rings. I said: ‘This is what we’re here for. So as we start to shape our thinking, know this is what we’re going for.’
“He was looking at them pretty closely! The thinking holistically was instead of one particular player, filling out the squad with quality depth. You have to tip your hat to Andrea and our entire sporting staff for that.”
Arsenal Sporting Director Andrea Berta celebrates with the Premier League trophy
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Arsenal Sporting Director Andrea Berta celebrates with the Premier League trophy(Image: 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
That’s exactly what Arsenal did, they signed eight new players and committed close to £300million on them all. Each played their part, some much more than others, but all the cogs in the machine had to turn for the trophy to be made.
Viktor Gyokeres was one such key piece. Andrea Berta is believed to have been a key backer of the Swedish striker’s signing despite other names circulating at the time.
There had been such a swell of noise around the desire from supporters to sign a striker. Josh explained that they were very aware of the clamouring and praised Gyokeres for his work on the pitch to help deliver the title.
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“You had to be living under a rock to avoid the striker conversation with us for the last 12 months. I thought on the run-in last year, could Mikel Merino have done a better job? I don’t think so.
“But one of the conversations was making sure we had squad depth and that we all were satisfied with where the squad was. Not the starting XI but elsewhere. Viktor, his name, emerged quickly.
“The conversations stemmed around looking at the history of who the player is and what he’s won. The mentality he might help bring to our group to get us across the finish line.
“I think Viktor, to his credit, has kept working and working and working all season long. What you saw from him over the last - I’m not even trying to timeframe it - but over the last few months unlocked a different level of player that really fits.”
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