Written by George Sezer Thursday, 27 October 2011 13:52

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By George Sezer

Kronke arrived in the UK THIS MORNING, not much prep for AGM then.

Very big turn out at AGM. It demonstrates that supporters want to play a role in club ownership.

PHW takes the mic

Stan will speak! Crowd laughs!

Formalities first, then questions. PHW confirms all questions' pre submitted. Gazidis will update on accounts. Stan will talk, draws long murmur.

Gazidis begins his speech by bigging up Kroenke. Says he's been on board for years, brings "security & stability"

Gazidis

"Kronke brings experience and Council to arsenal, and why Danny trusted him with shareholding"

"Busiest ever summer transfer period, bound to be period of adjustment"

“Nine new players in the summer, maybe our busiest ever summer. Bound to be a period of adjustment...”

“Team has started strongly in Europe and is gaining momentum in league.

Invites applause for Arsenal Ladies from audience

Applause for ladies treble.

"Club exists for football success, and force in Europe. 14 ECL seasons matched only by RM and MUFC"

“Property debt all cleared. Only remaining debt is stadium debt. Standing still not and never has been an option for AFC”

“Significant movement on commercials... Will see that in next year’s figures”

“Look forward to moving forward with our partners Nike and Emirates"

“Club have built platform in Asia as well as signing of lucrative deals with Indesit, Carlsberg & Thomas Cook. Big investment in website too”

“110mill homes in 80 countries see Arsenal Player. Nearly 10mill FB fans by May”

“In December we'll be launching some iconic additions” (to the "Arsenalisation" of the stadium)

“All staff from top to bottom are passionate, even obsessed, with the club”

“Manager acts with 'responsibility and vision, always putting club first”

Gazidis heavily praises work of Wenger, Fitszman and Friar. Longevity of their commitment. "A football club is more than about football."

Stan takes the stage

Kronke

"it’s great to be here, what a wonderful club, thanks for coming, not quite sure why I have been asked to say a few things"

"We miss Danny, his values will live on"

“Arsenal has all the elements needed to succeed” (praises board, Wenger and the fans)

“Tremendous management, wonderful manager, makes great decisions on personnel"

"We had many opportunities to involve ourselves in many clubs, we became involved with AFC, this was one place we were interested in"

“Anyway, were glad to be here, happy with direction, here for long term, make sure you are used to seeing us, we will be around"

Questions to board

Question: 'Time to change self-sustainable model for sake of in field success?'

PHW: 'Remain committed to self-sustainable. Means our future is in our own hands.'

Question: 'Will club consider equity injection to help us compete in interim whilst we make up shortfalls on commercial revenue?'

No. PHW struggling.

PHW reading prepared answer TERRIBLY

Question: third question is about bonuses paid to commercial heads.

PHW doesn't want to discuss how bonuses were decided but says that “Ivan passed his targets”

PHW is slurring his words and hasn't really answered anything at all. Bit of a whitewash.

Question: The board are now dependent on Kroenke for jobs & benefits. What will you do to ensure you represent all shareholders?

PHW says it's his legal duty to represent all shareholders. He says no more.

PHW: "Ken, youve given club 60 years, inspiration to all, thanks from everyone at Arsenal”

A bust is unveiled of Friar, which will be placed in stadium.

Long applause for Mr. Friar.

Question: We've replaced 2 world class players with two who aren't. Will the board reduce ticket prices if club fails to qualify for CL?

PHW: 'We will strive to qualify.' Again, he didn't answer the question.

PHW says Wenger is "getting things right again" and praises new signings. Says nothing on ticket prices. Murmurs all around.

Question: "Mr Chairman, you are so out of touch with this club...it's time for you to stand down and David Dein to return”

HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE

PHW: 'No intention of standing down. But that decision is for board colleagues. We have best men for the job.'

Stan steps in! Gets jeered... Getting tense in here!

Kroenke: "We're fans too, we're with you."

Someone shouts 'Put your money where your mouth is"

GETTING HOSTILE

Question: 'Why are the board refusing red & white a seat on the board?'

PHW "We are comfortable with make up of board"

Hall shouts: "Start answering questions"

THIS IS A POOR SHOW BY PHW.

Question: 'How are the board assisting the manager with football governance?'

PHW: We have robust governance across the club and AW works closely with Ivan Gazidis re club."

Question: Football has moved on, yet the club's staff hasn't. Huge burden is on Wenger alone. Suggests we need new structure.

PHW:  “Club's personnel have moved on and Wenger gets full support. AW attends board meetings and answers any questions board have.”

Question: How many season ticket holders did not renew their tickets?

PHW refuses to reveal numbers and says vast majority of games sold out.

Groans all around

That concludes board questions.

AW takes the mic

No applause for PHW, big applause now for Arsene

Wenger digs media...

Wenger:

“Usually I speak to you through the media & they don't always represent what I say”

"Don’t worry I won’t be here in 1000 years and I do not say I have always been right"

“Very grateful you've had such high confidence in me for such a long time.” Applause.

“I can see a lot of fear & discontent among you. We are fighting with people with very high resources.”

“Way we can compete is through intelligence and being united.”

“I believe we can be competitive with the self-sustaining model.”

"Do not judge too quickly players we bought, we had difficult start, and under tremendous pressure"

"These players are ready for a fight, not many people behind us, but it can be a surprise. PLEASE stand behind us"

(We can compete! We can surprise. He said this last year...)

"Last season most difficult to accept with end result, some games it was my fault as I convinced players we could win 4 trophies"

“We play 27 games in 3 months last year and we paid for it in March, also not lucky with injuries"

“We had positives last year like world class emergence of Jack...I was under pressure to buy GK...we have world class GKs"

“I do not know where we'll finish this season, but we're ready for a fight.”

"I am convinced we have a chance to quality again (ECL).I can understand you feel punished by ticket prices, but we need to keep players"

“Trust us. This team has qualities. This team will fight. If you support us we have every chance to succeed."

Applause.

PHW: “That concludes meeting. Bye.”

First ever AGM that The Board and Arsene didn't take questions from floor.

Defensive mind-set. Never heard so much heckling at a AGM before

Conclusion: Awful performance from PHW. Patronising, avoided questions.

Stan needs to boot him out.

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