‘Reaping the rewards’: Michail Antonio says Stan Kroenke has pulled off a complete masterstroke at Arsenal

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Michail Antonio has told Match of the Day 2 that Arsenal owner Stanley Korenke has pulled off a complete masterstroke by keeping Mikel Arteta on as manager. 

The West Ham United striker appeared on the BBC show just hours after his side fell to a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford yesterday.

The 32-year-old spoke about Arsenal’s emphatic 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest and was full of praise for Kroenke.

Arteta has led his side to a near-flawless start to the new season and they currently sit top of the Premier League. It’s a stark contrast to where they were at the beginning of the last campaign.

And Antonio feels the Arsenal owners deserve credit for sticking by their manager. 

Antonio on Kroenke

“This Arsenal team reminds me of the old Arsenal, the unbeatable,” Antonio said on Match of the Day 2. 

“This is what you’re seeing now, how they’re playing and the free football.

“That’s one thing I have to say well done to Arsenal for and the owners, they stuck with Arteta and are now reaping the rewards.”

Kroenke certainly deserves credit for backing Arteta through some difficult times over the past three years. 

The Spaniard got off to a dream start to his managerial career in north London as he guided Arsenal to an FA Cup victory in 2020.

But it hasn’t all been plain sailing as the Gunners missed out on Champions League qualification last season to their bitter rivals Tottenham. 

Despite the setbacks, Arteta was backed over the summer as the club brought in proven quality players like Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Antonio is right that Arsenal are now reaping the rewards as they look like a top-quality outfit.

Kroenke will be hoping Arteta can maintain the positive start to the season and achieve something special this year. 

The American owner may need to bolster the Arsenal squad in January, with Arteta looking slightly short in terms of depth in midfield and attack. But if the Gunners can avoid any significant injuries, they could find themselves fighting for major honours come the end of the season.