Arsenal need big result against QPR after AGM

 

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The Gunners board, including majority shareholder Kroenke, chief executive Ivan Gazidis and chairman Peter Hill-Wood, came under scathing criticism from supporters at the annual general meeting on Thursday. But, Arsenal's major shareholder, Stan Kroenke leaped to the defence of his Arsenal regime in the face of a fierce attack from club shareholders.

Supporters are not surprisngly disillusioned with the perceived lack of investment in the playing squad and the cost of tickets. Things haven't been helped by defeats to Norwich last weekend in the Premier League and a home defeat to Shalke in the Champions Legaue.
 
Kroenke said: ‘I am ambitious for the club. We have an exciting future and our goal is to win trophies.Majority shareholder Stan Kroenke was roundly jeered by shareholders when refusing to provide a definitive answer on whether he has plans to take a dividend percentage out of the club coffers.
 
Similar treatment was dished out to chief executive Ivan Gazidis as he reeled off reasons why Arsenal will be in a financial position to compete in the transfer market for the world’s best players in two years.

‘We’ve heard it all before,’ yelled  shareholders as Gazidis spelt out why the club’s self-sustaining financial model means on-the-pitch success will follow in the not-too-distant future.
 
It’s hard not to have a degree of  sympathy with Arsenal supporters. No trophy since 2005, two successive summers of losing their best players and a team 10 points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea.
 
The recent BBC survey on the cost of football also showed that the Emirates was the most expensive ground in the UK to watch foorball but fans aren't getting the benfit in terms of signing. The news that it could be two years before Arsenal can compete with the leading sides in the transfer market was not met with any enthusiasm.

Today's game against QPR might turn out to be pivotal in Arsenal' recent history abd team news is mixed.

Bacary Sagna may return for Arsenal after recovering from a broken leg, while Jack Wilshere could make his first senior appearance for 17 months.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a doubt with a hip problem, and Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs, Wojciech Szczesny, Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky remain sidelined.

Clint Hill should be available for QPR after overcoming a head injury.

Fabio Da Silva (hamstring) and Kieron Dyer (calf) could be involved, but Park Ji-Sung (knee) is doubtful.

JB