Arsenal fans are calling on Nigerian billionaire and Africa’s richest person Aliko Dangote to launch a takeover of the club.
Many fans were miffed by the club’s decision to join the European Super League (ESL) alongside five other Premier League clubs, three Italian and three Spanish clubs.
Arsenal, as well as Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, however, confirmed their exit from the competition on Tuesday.
Arsenal described its earlier endorsement of the league as a “mistake” and apologised in a statement published on its website.
“As a result of listening to you and the wider football community over recent days we are withdrawing from the proposed Super League,” the club said late on Tuesday. “We made a mistake, and we apologise for it.”
But many Arsenal fans are unmoved by the club’s about-face. They believed the club’s major shareholder Stan Kroenke was motivated to join ESL by money and not the love for the game.
Already, fans have scheduled a protest outside the Emirate Stadium in north London. That protest will still hold on Friday despite the apology. It will, however, focus on forcing Kroenke to leave the club.
“If Arsenal hoped this announcement could bring a bit of calm to the fanbase, they were wrong,” Charles Watts, Arsenal correspondent at Goal said on Twitter. ” It feels like things are only just getting started.”
Club legend Ian Wright also joined the call for Kroenke to leave the club, tweeting #KroenkaOut on Tuesday night.
Many fans of the north London club think Dangote can do a better job of moving the club forward.
The Nigerian businessman is an Arsenal and has made no secret of his desire to take over the north London club in the past. He has made several statements about launching a future takeover.
He said in 2018 that he would likely bid to buy the London club in 2020.
But he is currently working towards the completion of his refinery in Lagos. In January 2020, he said he may buy the club in 2021 after he must have completed his refinery being built in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.
Arenal fans are now calling for him to take over the club this summer after the European Super League misadventure.
Dangote should use this opportunity to buy @Arsenal
— Mr. Os 🧘🏾♂️(Sultan of Abochie Empire) (@abochie_) April 20, 2021
This is the PERFECT time to announce Dangote! #KreonkeOut
— Sergent Gunner ™ (@ScuderiaxMike) April 20, 2021
unfortunately I think this will just enforce the status quo. Arsenal’s best hope probably remains KSE selling to Dangote or similar.
— Ben Piggot (@BenPiggot) April 20, 2021
We need this man, he can save arsenal #KroenkeOut pic.twitter.com/aQ3uOCtJL7
— Jaiden (@GoonerJaiden) April 20, 2021
Legendary Arsenal former manager Arsene Wenger said on Monday that the idea of a Super League will not go far.
“I would say it’s a bad idea,” Wenger said. “Football has to stay united, it’s the most important thing.”
“It’s based on sporting merit and to respect the history that has been built from European football. I believe, personally, that this idea will not go far.”
