Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta 'held meeting with Josh Kroenke' after devastating Brighton defeat

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta held a meeting with the club's co-chairman and director Josh Kroenke after Sunday's 3-0 defeat against Brighton, it has been reported.

The loss to Roberto De Zerbi's side all but ended Arsenal's title challenge, with Manchester City needing two points, due to their vastly superior goal difference, from their final three games to lift the Premier League trophy.

But it has still been an excellent season for the Gunners, who led the table for much of the season and only dropped off the top after a 4-1 defeat to City at the end of April.

There have been a number of positives from the campaign, not least the performances of key players such as Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale, as well as the emergence of William Saliba.

Granit Xhaka has had arguably his best campaign since arriving at the club, while Gabriel Magalhaes has so far started every game as a left-sided centre-back.

Now, Kroenke has reportedly met with Arteta after the Brighton game.

Arteta holds Kroenke meeting

According to the London Evening Standard, Josh Kroenke spoke with Arteta after the game, along with LA Rams head coach Sean McVay. The Gunners' owners, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, also preside over the Rams, and appointed McVay in 2017.

When the American was appointed, he became the youngest head coach in the NFL's modern era, and he led the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in 2021.

It is now three-and-a-half years since Arteta was appointed at the Emirates Stadium, and KSE will hope he can follow a similar timeframe to McVay in helping the Gunners to net Premier League silverware.

To do that, Arsenal will need to make shrewd signings in this summer's transfer market, with City's depth and trophy-winning experience credited as a reason behind their imminent success this term.

The Gunners attempted to follow suit this season, signing Premier League-winning duo Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus and 2021 Champions League winner Jorginho.

But there are still areas where Arsenal can improve, and Arteta has reportedly made West Ham midfielder and captain Declan Rice his transfer priority this summer.

He will hope to have the full backing of the Kroenke ownership to bring in players such as Rice, with Josh having taken a more active role in the running of the club from father Stan in recent years.

Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Premier League, Transfers

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.