Covid era gave Arteta space to revive Arsenal, says Kroenke

Covid era gave Arteta space to revive Arsenal, says KroenkeImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Stan and Josh Kroenke have had majority control of Arsenal since 2018ByAlex HowellArsenal reporter Published1 minute agoCommentsArsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke says behind-closed-doors football during the Covid-19 pandemic allowed manager Mikel Arteta "space" to help revive the "sleeping giant".The Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (KSE) group took full control of Arsenal in 2018 but it has not always been easy, with fan protests at how the club was being run taking place during their tenure.The Kroenkes hired Arteta in 2019, giving the former Arsenal player his first senior managerial role after a period of uncertainty at the club.It took time for that vision to take hold with two eighth-placed finishes, despite a 2020 FA Cup win, leading to some questioning whether Arteta was the right man for the job.But now the Spaniard has transformed the club after six-and-a-half years in charge and has led the Gunners to their first Premier League title in 22 years.And in a wide-ranging interview, Kroenke talked about:How the pandemic meant that Arteta had time without fan pressureThe Gunners' summer plans to strengthen to "stay top of the mountain"The sleeping giant of ArsenalBeing on his hands on knees watching the video assistant referee decision against West HamAnd how the culture has changed at the clubRelationship with Arteta and how they picked himGiving a manager their first senior job in football is always a risk, but Kroenke says Arteta's character made it clear that he was the right candidate to succeeding Unai Emery in December 2019."Anybody that gets a chance to be around Mikel, you can buy into what he's selling pretty easily," Kroenke said."So I don't want to give myself or my father [Stan Kroenke, founder and chairman of KSE and co-chair of Arsenal] any credit."I think Mikel and his staff and our...