Thierry Henry insists Daniel Ek ‘wants to re-inject the Arsenal DNA, the identity that is long gone’, as Gunners legend publicly backs Spotify owner’s £1.8bn takeover bid for the first time – and tells the Kroenkes they ‘NEED to listen’
- Spotify owner Daniel Ek is preparing to submit a bid to take control of Arsenal
- The Kroenkes are under pressure amid the European Super League backlash
- Thierry Henry is among the Gunners legends backing the takeover attempt
- The legendary striker has now urged the Arsenal owners to listen to the bidders
Thierry Henry has instructed the Kroenkes to hear Daniel Ek out over his Arsenal takeover plans, with the Gunners icon throwing his support behind the bid.
The Swede announced his plot to seize control at the Emirates amid the European Super League backlash, with the Gunners owners coming under fierce pressure from fans following the doomed betrayal.
Ek is preparing a bid of £1.8billion to purchase the north London club, with Arsenal Invincibles Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira getting involved to help. Stan Kroenke is adamant he will not sell up.
Thierry Henry is throwing his weight behind Daniel Ek’s bid to takeover at his old club Arsenal
The Spotify owner is putting together a bid of £1.8bn with the support of Gunners legends
‘I know a lot of people wanted to hear about it, it is true. Daniel is an Arsenal fan,’ Premier League Hall of Fame star, Henry, told Sky Sports.
‘He approached us, we listened to him. We knew first and foremost that he wanted to involve the fans. Bring them back on board and knowing what’s happening.
‘He wants to re-inject the Arsenal DNA, the identity that for me I think is long gone. You don’t have Arsenal people there amongst the board and sometimes that can make sure it’s going in the right direction.
‘He already reached out, already said himself that he has collected the funds to make sure he can put a good bid, now they need to listen.
Arsenal fans’ distrust with the Kroenke family has boiled over after the Super League debacle
Stan Kroenke has overseen a miserable, steady decline over the last decade in north London
‘Something that is very important about it is a lot of people have been screaming that they want the owner out – we are trying to offer a solution involving the fans and the DNA back of the club.
‘Let’s see where it is going to go because at one point also it needs to be a discussion, but he’s reached out.’
Gunners fans are preparing for a second anti-Kroenke protest on Thursday before their Europa League semi-final against Villarreal, with their frustration at the Americans finally boiling-over.
Arsenal’s decline has been stark, with fans watching in disbelief as their once-great side hit rock-bottom this season, looking set to finish the season in mid-table.
While the process will take time, Arsenal fans will be enjoying what Ek has been saying so far
Despite the supporters’ frustrations, Henry has warned that more patience is required before Arsenal can get back on track.
‘I think it is going to be long and not easy if it does ever happen,’ Henry added.
‘One thing that I want to reiterate is that Daniel will not move away, he will be there waiting to see if they want to sell.
‘That is going to take a very long time, we know what we want to do but first and foremost we need to make sure that we can take over, if they are listening.
‘I don’t have that type of money to talk about it. It is between Daniel and the Kroenke family — if they dare to entertain the bid.’
