The Kroenkes, Arsenal’s owners, haven’t always been the most popular figures at the club since their arrival.
KSE, the club shareholders, became the majority owners in 2011, but only finalised a deal to become the sole shareholder in 2018.
Under Stan Kroenke and Josh Kroenke, there has been progress at Arsenal, despite a rocky start to their sole ownership of the club.
With Mikel Arteta trusted and backed as head coach, the Gunners have moved from strength to strength to compete at the very top again.
Arsenal haven’t quite managed to win the silverware that progress has warranted, though, and a lack of investment in the January market led to some criticism.
However, just a few months later and the decision from the Arsenal owners and the leadership team has paid off.
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Jason Ayto and the Kroenkes proven right over Jhon Duran transfer call
Arsenal’s lack of investment in January was criticised as the club failed to land a striker that they desperately needed.
Instead, an approach was taken to look at opportunities but to pass them up if they didn’t seem to be in their best interest.
That landed Jason Ayto, interim sporting director, and the Kroenkes in hot water from the Arsenal faithful, though.
A few months on, that decision now looks justified, as one transfer target has proven to be a bit of a flop.
Jhon Duran was linked with a transfer to Arsenal, with the Gunners finding some pressure to seal a deal due to interest from Saudi Arabia.
Al-Nassr won the race to land him for £64 million, with the lack of a striker later causing some criticism for the hierarchy at the Emirates Stadium.
Now, just a few months on, that decision seems to be a good one as Duran looks set to leave Al-Nassr already.
A move to Turkey now appears on the cards for the 21-year-old, with questions arising as to whether things could’ve changed if he had joined Arsenal instead.
However, given his quick move away from Saudi Arabia, it suggests that the Gunners made the right call.
At the same time, that means fans owe an apology to Ayto and the leadership team, who now have time to make the right decision over the summer transfer window.
Jason Ayto was treated harshly by supporters in Arsenal spell
With Jason Ayto leaving upon Andrea Berta’s arrival at Arsenal, there was plenty of change in the backroom team.
Looking back, though, the interim sporting director was dealt a difficult hand to work with.
His spell was only likely to be a short one, following Edu’s resignation in late 2024, as the club looked for an experienced person to take the role.
In that time, Ayto could’ve made a name for himself, spending the money on a superstar striker or landing someone who would gain that affection from supporters.
Instead, the interim director continued on with the club’s plans and didn’t stray from them for anything too risky.
Given the difficulty of the January market, the unavailability of some transfer targets and thoughts of the future, it made sense not to make a move.
Now, with the whole summer transfer window ahead, Arsenal and Berta have a free shot at their top targets and can only do so thanks to that decision.
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