Daniel Ek told CNBC on Wednesday afternoon that he wants to ‘just focus on the fans’ after he was asked whether he was ‘angry’ with Stan Kroenke just seeing Arsenal as ‘an asset’.
The boyhood Arsenal fan, who is the founder of Spotify, has expressed a desire to buy the North London giants from the club’s American owners.
If Arsenal were to be purchased then Ek would need some serious dough to take the club out of the hands of the Kroenke’s – and judging by his worth – it’s very possible, from a financial perspective.
But with the Arsenal owners unwilling to sell, or so they say, Ek has tried to win some brownie points by seemingly adding club legends, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira as part of a consortium to buy the club.
Whether it does or doesn’t happen, one thing is for sure, it seems as though it will be a pretty drawn-out saga.
Nonetheless, when speaking about trying to buy Arsenal on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street programme, this is what Ek was asked by the host:
“Everyone wants to see an owner who identifies with the fans,” said the host. “I don’t want to slam the Kroenke’s too much but they own a lot of teams and this seems like it’s just an asset for them and nothing real particular. Doesn’t that make you feel angry?”
“I just focus on the club,” said Ek. “I just focus on the fans and focus on bringing the club back to its glory.
“As you said, I am first and foremost a fan, that’s the most important thing for me. I want the club to do better. That’s my primary interest.”
Ek is playing his cards pretty open, but there has to be some tactics behind it and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Kroenke’s are doing the same.
If they want to sell Arsenal then they wouldn’t publicly admit it because it may well harm their asking price, but this way, they can force Ek to push the boat out.
Either way, if Ek is serious about buying the club then he will be willing to play the long game.
And, one thing is for sure, with the anger inside these frustrated and now tired Arsenal supporters, he will get their backing if he needs that extra power to try and get this deal moving.
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