Arsenal fans hit out at board’s failings, claiming the club are ‘rudderless and floating aimlessly’ under Stan Kroenke
A number of prominent Arsenal fan groups have united to accuse owner Stan Kroenke of "rudderless" leadership and call for "urgent action" to halt the club's slide.
The Gunners are struggling under Unai Emery, who succeeded Arsene Wenger in the summer, having won just four of their 13 Premier League games this season.
In July, Arsenal supporters groups launched a #WeCareDoYou campaign to protest against the board's running of the club and they have now once again expressed their displeasure following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Southampton at home, claiming they have seen no evidence of progress under Kroenke.
The north Londoners have not won the league since 2004 and currently sit eighth in the Premier League, eight points adrift of the top four.
"We have been told to 'get excited' and to support the team. As Arsenal supporters we have done both," read the statement.
"There exist many issues raised in our first statement that remain unaddressed by the club. While these matters have not gone away, it is the overall alarming and desperate state of things on and off the pitch that need urgent action and take precedence amongst our concerns.
"Until the club and especially the senior management structure is running efficiently, effectively and ambitiously, then few other issues can or will be satisfactorily resolved.
"The early optimism of summer, around what appeared to be good business and positive signings, has given way to renewed concerns about the club’s overall direction and the leadership of the owner. It feels like the club is rudderless and floating aimlessly, unsure of its destination.
"It appears that reported unrest in the dressing room is affecting performances on the pitch and the board’s clearly stated target of a top four finish at season end looks in serious danger with barely a third of the season played.
"We spoke about never feeling less valued and this has continued with an astounding lack of communication from the club. We understand it is the Arsenal way to deal with issues internally but the current communication vehicle – the drip feed and leaks to certain journalists – is unacceptable and unsatisfactory.
"Communications on the whole have been dealt with poorly, and the tactics used only add to the confusion, uncertainty and unrest among the fanbase – which in turn is motivating Arsenal’s opponents, who can clearly see we’re in trouble.
"As documented in our initial statement, Stan Kroenke made his ambitions for the club clear: 'KSE’s ambitions for the club are to see it competing consistently to win the Premier League and the Champions League'. We still see no evidence of this and current form would suggest that the club is moving ever further from these goals.
";We raised previously the need for new and dynamic appointments at board level; people with Arsenal DNA are needed at this time more than ever. Sadly, the club’s reaction to this recommendation has been an unresponsive dismissal of it. Can we assume you are still satisfied that the right people are in the right positions, as Vinai Venkatesham suggested they were at July’s end of season supporters’ event? Again, the evidence so far this season implies an intrinsic lack of understanding, ambition, appetite and ability to take the club forward.
"The last decade, notwithstanding the FA Cup wins, can legitimately be seen as lost years both on and off the field, when the team has not only stagnated but actually regressed. To date that is the legacy of the ‘Kroenke years’.
"While the club’s away support continues to be magnificent, home crowds are starting to deplete and this situation will be further compounded by what will soon become a toxic atmosphere, if the current turmoil and lack of true leadership at the club continues to translate into poor performances on the pitch.
"We want clear acknowledgement that the board recognises the issues faced by the club, and how severe these are for the future of The Arsenal. As supporters we want actual communication and measurable assurances from the board that actions are in place to address this seemingly inexorable slide."
While the statement does not directly reference Emery, it is understood a managerial change could soon be in the offing at the Emirates.
The Gunners' board are fast losing faith in Emery, who has overseen just two Premier League wins from the last 11 games.
According to , Arsenal are looking at Mikel Arteta and Massimiliano Allegri as potential replacements for the Spaniard.
Arteta, a former player at the club who is now part of Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at Manchester City, was the front runner to take over in the summer following the end of Arsene Wenger's 22-year reign in north London.
But the Arsenal hierarchy eventually opted for the more experienced Emery - a move that has backfired so far.