After Stan Kroenke confirmed he has increased his stake in Arsenal to 62.89%, the American’s take over would take the number of English Premier League clubs under foreign ownership to ten.

Speaking about the take over, manager Arsene Wenger explained that he worked with the owner of Kroenke Sports Enterprises over the last couple of years and believes he has the best interests of Arsenal at heart. Adding that the American is on the same wavelength as the rest of the board, Wenger stressed the importance of protecting “the ethos and spirit of the club”.

He said:

I have worked with Stan Kroenke at board meetings over the past couple of years and I believe he has the best interests of Arsenal at heart. He understands the club’s heritage and traditions and our ambition to run the club in a way which protects our long-term future.

The board of directors and I consider it a key responsibility to protect the ethos and spirit of the club.

Meanwhile, chairman Peter Hill Wood was also delighted with the take over as he explained that Kroenke is a man who values and respects the history of the Club as he paid tribute to Danny Fiszman and Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith whose vision helped the Club migrate from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium.

The chairman said:

Mr. Kroenke, although relatively new to Arsenal, has shown himself to be a man who values and respects the history and traditions of this very special club that we cherish. We are confident that he will be a safe custodian of its future.

At this time of transition I would like to pay particular tribute to Danny Fiszman for his immense contribution. Danny’s vision and drive led the relocation to our new stadium, a historic move which will benefit the club and its many passionate fans long into the future.

I would like to pay tribute to the important and long-standing role that the Bracewell-Smith family have played in Arsenal’s history.

The family have been staunch supporters of the club for over 70 years and the club is significantly indebted to them for the role that they have played in its development and success. We will be considering appropriate ways to mark this long and valued contribution.