Stan Kroenke MUST invest in Arsenal’s squad this summer or step aside, according to Martin Keown

Martin Keown believes Stan Kroenke should sell Arsenal if he is not prepared to invest in the club’s playing squad this summer.

The Gunners sit 10th in the Premier League and look unlikely to qualify for Europe through the league this season, with inconsistency plaguing Mikel Arteta‘s side.

Fans made their discontent at their American owners known last week with a protest following their involvement and subsequent withdrawal from the controversial European Super League.

Speaking at a fans’ forum last week, Stan Kroenke’s son Josh insisted KSE would be investing in the squad this summer, which he admitted he was ‘excited’ about, with Spotify owner Daniel Ek preparing a bid to buy the club.

But speaking to BT Sport, former Arsenal defender Keown said money must be spent to help see success return to the club, and urged the owners to show ‘the colour of their money’. 

‘The Kroenkes have said they are going to spend money. If they don’t they’ve got to step aside,’ Keown said.

‘I don’t necessarily believe them in what they have done so far but they are saying now it is a different situation that we are in. Money needs to be spent and they have plenty of that.

‘They have shown that with what they have spent on shares, they spent £1billion to buy the shares to make the club worth £2-3bn, it is a fantastic investment.

‘They are surely going to want to invest in that. Whether we believe them, let’s see, let’s see the colour of their money, and if they are not prepared to do that, then step aside because we want to see success return to the football club.’

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta came out in support of the owners, insisting they are ‘fully committed’ to the project.

But Keown insisted that while he is not suspicious of Arteta’s words, he believes KSE must put their money where their mouth is. 

‘If he [Arteta] honestly believes… look he is having conversations with the owners and he is looking ahead to next season and targets and funds will be available, I am not suspicious of that,’ Keown added.

‘Let’s just see what happens, the proof’s in the pudding isn’t it? Put their money where their mouth is and secure the future of the football club, in difficult times it has to be said, but we need expenditure there.’

Kroenke’s ownership has also been in question due to a reportedly imminent bid from Daniel Ek, the co-owner of Spotify, to buy Arsenal with a £1.8bn offer.

Arsene Wenger appeared to offer his support to Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp – with the former Invincibles said to be backing the bid – but said the best deals are done when nobody knows about them.

And Keown agreed, but insists his former-team mates would not be getting involved if this was not a serious offer. 

‘Of course, let’s see if it is for real, I quite liked Wenger’s stance on it that usually when a deal goes through we hear nothing to the last minute,’ he said.

‘Let us hope it is not publicity for him or for Spotify, he is for real and the former players that are getting involved would not be getting involved if they didn’t think this was an opportunity, but let’s see what the current owners want to do.’