Sir Chips Keswick tells Arsenal shareholders to find Stan Kroenke's opinions in the press - not the AGM

Getty
James Benge26 October 2017

Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick invited disgruntled shareholders to "read the Daily Telegraph" if they want to know the opinions of majority shareholder Stan Kroenke.

The American billionaire attended, but did not address the club's Annual General Meeting, in which Keswick, chief executive Ivan Gazidis and Arsene Wenger spoke.

Shareholders grew increasingly frustrated during a meeting that ended with boos for Keswick, who insisted that Kroenke - who owns 67.05 per cent of Arsenal - was not required to address the floor.

When a disgruntled shareholder demanded to hear from the majority shareholder, Keswick told the supporter to "read the Daily Telegraph today and you'll find out".

Kroenke, nicknamed Silent Stan, conducted interviews with two British newspapers on Thursday in which he reaffirmed his commitment to Arsenal, having received an offer from Alisher Usmanov and responsding with a counter-bid of his own.

The AGM also saw shareholders take the re-election of Keswick and fellow board member Josh Kroenke to a poll vote in a symbolic act of defiance.

Both Kroenke and Usmanov's investment vehicles voted in favour of their re-election. As they hold 97 per cent of Arsenal shares, the rebellion from the floor had no impact - but the first use of a poll vote in 16 club AGMs served to make plain the fans' frustrations.