Arsenal owner vows to carry on spending after Budapest

Josh Kroenke has promised that Arsenal will strengthen their squad even if they are crowned European champions for the first time and said rewarding Mikel Arteta with a new contract is an “utmost priority”.

- Ed Aarons

Arsenal, who face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest tomorrow, spent more than £250m last summer on players who helped them win a first Premier League title for 22 years. Kroenke and his father, Stan, the club’s American owners and co-chairs, watched Arsenal at Crystal Palace on Sunday and brought the trophy on to the pitch before it was presented to the captain, Martin Ødegaard. They are expected to be at the final.

Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (KSE), the family’s sports empire, have won two Super Bowls, two Stanley Cups and the NBA Championship in the United States and Kroenke said there could be no standing still.

“Our stated goal was winning the Premier League, because if you can put yourself in contention for the Premier League, you’re in contention for everything else. In one sense, we’ve achieved one goal, with another one coming on Saturday. Should we get a great result it’s not going to change or affect who we are.