Arsenal have a new man in charge after behind the scenes shake-up, it’s not Stan Kroenke
Arsenal have handed more control to one member of their hierarchy after a behind-the-scenes reshuffle.
Earlier this week (24 September), Tim Lewis officially left his position as executive vice-chairman at the Emirates.
It came following the news that Arsenal had promoted Richard Garlick from managing director to chief executive.
However, the changes have resulted in a different member of the board claiming more power at the North London club.
Josh Kroenke to come to the fore after Arsenal exits
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Josh Kroenke will now come to the fore at Arsenal.
Josh, who is the son of Gunners owner Stan Kroenke, is co-chairman at the Emirates and more involved in the day-to-day running of the club than his father.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Kroenke Jnr will gain even more control as a result of the reshuffle.
Wyness added that it was a good move to get rid of Lewis and that Arsenal are now trending in the right direction on and off the pitch.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “With the new board that Stan Kroenke has put in, Josh Kroenke is now coming to the fore.
“I think it’s actually a good move. I think they’ve strengthened everything behind the scenes. I see the experience of the new directors coming in is very much financial, and so I think they want to expand the Arsenal brand internationally. I think that will be a big development for them.
“It’s still early in the season to see where Arsenal are going to end up, but we know they’ve put together an amazing squad, they’ve spent the money, there’s been backing there.
“Now they’re getting a more cohesive team behind the scenes that’s going to be in lockstep with the manager and the football side, and that is a very good sign for Arsenal.
“I see this as a very promising sign, and I think it’s the end of the upstairs-downstairs atmosphere that Tim Lewis helped perpetuate. So I think it’s a good move that he’s gone.”
Arsenal board battling to beat UEFA’s financial regulations
The newly reshuffled board has an immediate problem on its hands, as Arsenal are reportedly close to breaching UEFA financial regulations.
That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who claims that the Gunners must be careful regarding their squad cost.
Clubs in European competitions are required to keep spending on player wages and fees to 70 per cent of revenue.
However, Arsenal could improve their squad cost ratio if they win all of their Champions League games before the end of this calendar year, due to the prize money they would receive.
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