Arsenal’s hierarchy has been thrown into turmoil after billionaire owner Stan Kroenke admitted his frustration with Mikel Arteta over what he now sees as one of the club’s biggest transfer blunders. The controversy surrounds the striker sold in 2022 for a mere £4 million, a decision that has come back to haunt the Gunners as the forward has exploded into a goal machine, scoring an astonishing 37 goals in just 22 appearances this season.
The pain for Arsenal fans deepened last week when the former Gunner bagged a hat-trick in just over an hour, a performance that left many stunned at how the club allowed him to slip away so cheaply. Kroenke, speaking with rare candor, didn’t hold back in expressing his regret, describing the striker as a blend of Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. He admitted that the decision was reckless and confessed it hurts even more when compared to Victor Gyökeres, the £65 million signing who has struggled to deliver the same level of dominance in front of goal.
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal’s supporters have not kept quiet. Social media has been flooded with furious reactions, with many branding the transfer “criminal” and accusing Arteta of short-sightedness. Comparisons to Haaland have only fueled the anger, as fans lament missing out on a player who could have solved their long-standing issue with finishing in big matches.
Pundits and analysts have also weighed in, calling the situation both embarrassing and alarming for the club. With Manchester City and Liverpool relentless in the title race, Kroenke fears Arsenal’s lack of a ruthless finisher could prove costly. His message was blunt: Arsenal must do everything possible to bring the striker back in January if they are serious about winning the Premier League.
Whether such a sensational reunion can realistically be pulled off remains uncertain, but the sense of regret is clear. This is more than just a missed opportunity—it is a mistake that could overshadow Arsenal’s title ambitions and linger as one of the most painful transfer decisions of the Arteta era.
