Manchester United and Arsenal languish in mediocrity while their owners have won the last two Super Bowls

The Los Angeles Rams have emerged as the winners of Super Bowl LVI with a 23-20 over the Cincinnati Bengals in what was a close encounter at the SoFi stadium.

The Rams are owned by Arsenal owner, Stan Kroenke which carries on a pattern of owners achieving success with their American teams while the English team struggles.

Another example of that is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who won Super Bowl LV in 2020, led by the Glazer family who have rather infamously been at the helm of Manchester United’s affairs since 2005.

One of the many similarities between Manchester United and Arsenal is that their best years were before American ownership. Now that is not to say that they are entirely responsible for the decline of these clubs but the evidence certainly suggests that and the fans seem to agree too.

Manchester United and Arsenal fans are united by their mutual disdain for the Americans in control of their previously-great institution.

Their anger is fuelled by the fact that their beloved clubs have not received the level of care and investment required to sustain the levels of greatness displayed in the past under different ownership.

This is made even worse because the Glazers and Stan Kroenke have achieved success with their other franchises, which indicates that they do know how to run a sports team.

So what then is the difference between how the Glazers and Kroenke have ran the Buccaneers and the Rams respectively in contrast to their handling of Manchester United and Arsenal?

The main source of jealousy for Arsenal and Manchester United supporters is not necessarily the success of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Rams, it is directed towards the intentionality of the owners in making those franchises successful.

The Glazers also have a reputation of being aloof and hands-off in America but they are particular about hiring the right personnel which is where it differs to their Mnachester United reign.

The appointment of Bruce Arians as head coach in 2019 followed with multiple big-name signings including the legendary Tom Brady a year later was a statement of intent which was instantly rewarded with the Vince Lombardi trophy. It was the second Super Bowl win in franchise history, both under the leadership of the Glazers.

Stan Kroenke on the other hand is very hands-on with the Los Angeles Rams and treats it like his favourite child, the kind of attention Arsenal fans have craved but never received.

The Rams are Kroenke’s project, he moved the team from St Louis to LA and built them the most expensive stadium in the world, the magnificent SoFi stadium which cost $1.4 billion.

After which he splashed the cash to build a star-studded team with the intention of winning immediately which they did. 

Arsenal on the other hand is nothing but a business venture to him, which has been the main source of frustration for the fans leading to multiple protests over the years.

It is unclear whether the owners are negligent towards Manchester United and Arsenal because they are financially and emotionally more invested in the success of their American franchises.

What is however clear for all to see is that Manchester United and Arsenal need some of that intentional love and attention towards winning.

Manchester United have not gone past the UEFA Champions League round of 16 since 2014, despite their sister club winning American football’s version of the Champions League final, the Super Bowl last year.

Arsenal whose owner is probably still celebrating his Super Bowl win from last night have not even played in the Champions League in the last five years and last went beyond the round of 16 in 2010.

What both of these clubs need is an owner with a ‘win-now’ attitude which The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Rams displayed in the last two seasons.