Stan and Josh Kroenke

THE OFFICIAL VOICE

Every matchday programme features an ‘official voice’ this season, an exclusive ‘long-read’ from a senior figure at the club.

Some issues that will be manager Mikel Arteta, sometimes captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but we will also hear from other board members, vice captains, the Academy Manager and others….

In the opening issue of the season, the programme featured an open letter from our owners Stan and Josh Kroenke.

Speaking earlier this week – just prior to the signings of Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale – we have reproduced the programme feature here…

Welcome to the start of a new Premier League season here at Emirates Stadium. The first home league game of the season is always a special moment in the calendar and this season it’s made even more special by the fact we are finally able to greet you back properly.

It’s been a long 18 months since that last Premier League home match without capacity restrictions against West Ham United, just days before the pandemic took hold. Yes, football has continued but it has not been the same without supporters in the stadium, so we are delighted to welcome you all back and thank you for your continued support. Your presence has been sorely missed by us all.

We know there is much work ahead to get back to where we need to be but are confident about what can be achieved by this great club and our people.

We are building a squad, rich in young talent, much of it developed through our wonderful Academy. It is clear looking across Europe that we are dealing with a difficult transfer market due to the impacts of the pandemic but at the time of writing, are delighted to have signed Nuno Tavares, Sambi Lokonga and Ben White. We have also renewed the deals of Kieran Tierney and Emile Smith Rowe, both on a long-term basis.

These are all young players that we are convinced can develop further and have a bright future with us. They are supported by a strong group of more experienced players including Granit Xhaka who has signed an extended contract. This is an important step in terms of maintaining balance and stability in the squad. In the meantime, the transfer negotiating team has been working hard behind the scenes to improve the squad further.

Our women’s team is well placed to compete strongly under the guidance of new head coach Jonas Eidevall, at a time when the game is growing in an exciting way. This season we will take the opportunity to showcase the women’s team at Emirates Stadium and hope to welcome many new fans to Arsenal Women both at Emirates Stadium and Boreham Wood FC.

When it comes to the club’s deeper connection and contribution to community and broader society, we continue to lead the way on championing and supporting people and organisations close to home, while the ground-breaking work of The Arsenal Foundation with Save the Children makes a far-reaching impact globally.

Importantly, we also continue to work across the game and beyond to eradicate the appalling online abuse which is directed at players and others through the social networks. This is a stain on the game we must remove, and we will do everything in our power to make this happen.

We are grateful for the support received from supporters’ groups to work with us to drive change and look forward to working closer with our fans and supporters’ groups through initiatives like the Arsenal Advisory Board we announced in the close season.

Everyone at Arsenal is emerging from the pandemic determined to drive our club forward. Yes, there are many challenges ahead, but with your support and encouragement we are confident we will return to competing for and winning the game’s biggest trophies.

Thank you for your support.

Stan and Josh Kroenke

Victoria Concordia Crescit

You can buy your issue online at https://programme.arsenal.com/

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