Advertisement
Kroenke lays down plans for a trophy-winning dynasty at Arsenal
29th May, 2026 10:23 AM
Josh Kroenke smiles at the mention of Max Dowman’s breakaway goal in Arsenal’s win over Everton in March. It ranks as one of the defining moments of an historic campaign, and it is remembered for another reason in their co-chair’s household.
“That was a fun one because we had just adopted a new puppy,” says Kroenke. “When Max went on his run, I scared the hell out of the puppy by jumping up. That dog peed on the floor right there next to me with what I was saying and yelling at the television.”
It is one of many anecdotes told during a wide-ranging conversation with a group of journalists at Arsenal’s training ground which shows that Kroenke, who runs the club alongside his father, Stan, has lived the emotions of their title-winning season intensely.
He recalls watching the 2-2 draw with Wolves in February alone at his home in Denver, Colorado as a low point. “That’s when you wish you were with someone else, at least to talk to.” He relives the pain of the defeat to Manchester United in January. “I still think it was a handball,” he says of Patrick Dorgu’s opening goal.
What about the VAR check, all four minutes and 11 seconds of it, to overturn West Ham’s equaliser at the London Stadium? “I was on my hands and knees in my living room. It was a moment where I think every Arsenal supporter worldwide held their breath.”
He describes his role in supporting Mikel Arteta during the tough moments. “That’s when it’s just a one-sentence text – ‘hang in there, we got this, you aren’t alone’ – or a couple of sentences or thoughts: ‘Stay the ground, stay focused, tune out the noise.'”
He marvels at the defiance typified by Declan Rice after the loss to Manchester City in April. “I thought Declan’s mentality was spot-on. ‘It’s not done’. I was glad to hear the fans sing his name and say that the other day because in that moment, it wasn’t done.
Belief in the group
“I think our group still believed, even if the rest of the world had started to move on.” Kroenke was there, inside the away dressing room at the Etihad Stadium in the aftermath. “The players all looked at each other and were like, ‘we can still do this.'”
It culminated in those scenes of celebration at Selhurst Park, where Kroenke and his father carried the Premier League trophy across the pitch – “something I’ll never forget,” he says – having been doused in champagne by jubilant players in the dressing room.
“That was probably one of the most hot and humid environments I’ve ever been part of,” he says with a smile as he relives the scene. “You had so many people all in there. There was champagne, there was this, there was that. And the energy was incredible.”
The title-clinching moment had of course come with Bournemouth’s draw against Manchester City. Kroenke reveals he almost missed it having just flown back to the United States following Arsenal’s win over Burnley at the Emirates Stadium 24 hours earlier.
“I wish I could have been present with the group here at the training facility, but when we won it, there was an unexpected outpouring of emotion from me. I was very, very emotional for a few hours, thinking about the journey and the different points along the way.”
Dynasty plans
Arsenal’s Premier League success has vindicated the approach to last summer and there may be better to come as they prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest with the entire Kroenke family in attendance.
“One of the most fun questions that I’ve been asked over the past couple of weeks before we clinched the Premier League was, ‘Which one means more?'” says Kroenke.
“Which one? The one we don’t have. Champions of England sounds pretty good and champions of Europe could sound even better, especially with the double tied to it.”
Meanwhile, with Pep Guardiola leaving Manchester City and upheaval and uncertainty elsewhere in the Premier League, planning is well under way, on and off the pitch, to maximise Arsenal’s chances of consolidating their position at the top for the long-term.
Kroenke, whose family oversaw the construction of the stunning SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, confirms discussions are being held to develop and expand the Emirates Stadium with an emphasis on retaining aesthetic links to the club’s old Highbury home.
It is all part of a bigger picture.
“We think we have a chance here to dominate. We have very strong foundations in place to continue to build and try to sustain.
“Getting the foundations in place is usually the hardest part of the journey and now we have all this, it’s about trying to stay at the top knowing everyone is trying to climb the mountain after you.”
