Hundreds of Arsenal fans have gathered outside the Emirates Stadium, protesting against Stan Kroenke's ownership of the club.
Routes to the North London ground have been festooned with signs and banners looking for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) to sell their 90 per cent stake in the club.
Fan frustrations grew to boiling point last weekend when Arsenal were among the twelve clubs seeking to form a breakaway Super League.
Former Gunners striker Ian Wright described the idea as "shameful", adding, "This, the same Arsenal I was only just - what, a couple of weeks ago - commending on the tribute to David Rocastle.
"God, my god, man [would] be turning in his grave knowing what's going on now.
"Is this how far we have fallen, where we now are getting into competitions because we're not good enough to get into them?"
#LegacyFans pic.twitter.com/iTaTjGJ7oZ
— Amy Lawrence (@amylawrence71) April 23, 2021
Arsenal director - and son of Stan - Josh Kroenke addressed an angry fan forum on Thursday, but insisted they would not be selling up.
"We made a terrible decision," he said, "Now we need to make good ones.
"I have been in touch with all other 14 Premier League clubs to apologise for our part in this. We are working hard to rebuild our reputation."
Akhil Vyas of the Arsenal Supporters Trust directly addressed Kroenke, asking, "Do you not understand English football?
"You do not interact with fans, you have no clue, English football is clearly not for you, you should leave."
See that @Arsenal Super League apology went down well, There are thousands of fans outside Emirates tonight. All want one thing: owners out. pic.twitter.com/0q1HwyaFuO
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) April 23, 2021
Arsenal entertain Everton on Friday night, looking to breathe new life into their sagging European ambitions.
They go into the game 9th in the Premier League table, and nine-points adrift of West Ham.
So many #AFC fans here now for the #KroenkeOut protests. Would estimate 2,000 or so but there’s been a steady stream since about 5:30. A lot of very unhappy people https://t.co/YxwPFMl2xc pic.twitter.com/CeZy2CgbFk
— Kaya Kaynak (@kayakaynak97) April 23, 2021
Fans of other clubs - including Chelsea and Manchester United - joined the protests outside the Emirates.
All six English clubs named as founder members of the Super League last Sunday, had dropped their interest within 48-hours, spurred on by widespread fan anger.
Thousands of Arsenal fans protesting outside the Emirates Stadium ahead of the game with Everton pic.twitter.com/6A41iUbefa
— Phil Kirkbride (@philkecho) April 23, 2021
FAI secures €500,000 legacy payment from UEFA to fund Dalymount
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
