London, April 24: Several hundred Arsenal fans protested outside Emirates Stadium at the English Premier League match against Everton to call for owner Stan Kroenke to leave the club for joining the Super League.
To make matters worse, Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno conceded an own goal 76 minutes on as the Gunners ended up losing 1-0 to Everton.
Fans gathered on the stadium’s concourse more than two hours before kickoff, banging metal screens above the main box office, lighting flares, setting off fireworks, blaring airhorns and chanting “We want Kroenke out,” and “We want our Arsenal back.”
They also hung banners over the edge of the concourse including ones that read, “Arsenal till I die. Kroenke out,” and “Our club our home. Sell up Stan.”
Fan anger has been brewing since Arsenal and five other Premier League clubs announced they would join a breakaway Super League last Sunday.
And it hasn’t subsided even after Arsenal quit the 12-team Super League project on Tuesday night in the face of a growing public backlash, and apologized to fans.
Kroenke’s son, Josh Kroenke told supporters the family has “no intention” of selling the club.
Both teams’ buses arrived earlier than normal on Friday before the bulk of the protesters arrived outside the stadium in order to ensure the match would go ahead.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he hopes that trust can be rebuilt between the club and its supporters.
Liverpool squandered chances on Saturday at Anfield against Newcastle United and conceded a goal in the fifth-minute of stoppage time to finish with a 1-1 draw.
Mohamed Salah opened Liverpool’s scoring three minutes on for an early lead. Salah sent a tight shot into the top right corner.
Liverpool kept the lead for the entire match until drama struck late. Joe Willock scored in the 95th minute moments after Callum Wilson had a goal disallowed for a controversial handball.
Both sides missed out on crucial opportunities although Newcastle would feel a sense of relief with their late goal.
Liverpool are in sixth place, a point behind Chelsea and West Ham United who are in fourth and fifth respectively and play each other later on Saturday.
For Newcastle, the draw puts them nine points clear of the relegation zone and in 15th position. (AP)
