“We don’t want his sort here.” Peter Hill-Wood’s oft-quoted reaction (although the chairman denies his words took this form) to Stan Kroenke’s purchase of a block of Arsenal shares in 2007 always makes me smile. In a sense, we’ve come full circle, the old Etonian describing the Arsenal Supporters Trust as “silly people” making “stupid comments”. And significantly, the Trust played a role in bringing Kroenke and the Arsenal board together in 2007/08, smoothing the passage after the initial hostility created by David Dein’s involving Kroenke in an attempted boardroom coup that collapsed when Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith broke ranks and revealed Dein’s plans to the board. Yesterday evening’s news is full of ironies. The suggestion that Kroenke may bring David Dein back into the fold (although if Danny Fiszman does remain an active board member, this seems initially unlikely) is one. Another is that the man whose involvement was courted by the Trust may ultimately be responsible for leaving the Trust’s recently launched Fanshare scheme dead in the water. Ultimately, everything depends on Alisher Usmanov now as to whether the club goes private or remains accountable. We may have seen our last Arsenal AGM. The Trust meet this evening and have made no statement yet, presumably because they will listen to their membership first.

It is important to read the club’s statement on Kroenke’s bid. The two significant things that leap out are that a Glazer style buyout is not on the cards, which is vitally important for the club’s future wellbeing. The other thing is that there will be no change to the club’s ‘self sustainability’ ethos. If the UEFA fair play regulations are to mean anything – and time will tell – this is actually how all clubs are going to have to operate. There is an argument that a better alternative would be for Alisher Usmanov to come in and splash the cash Abramovich-style, but with the UEFA restrictions starting to kick in this summer, there is only a limited amount such a would-be big spender could do.

What is important is that the club both spend the money they have to improve things on the field and that Kroenke treats Arsenal as an investment that he will not drain profit from, but re-invest income to enhance the value of his purchase. The signs with his American concerns are that this is his modus operandi. Additionally, although there will be no immediate changes, I am aware that the growing American influence at the club is conscious of the shortfalls on the playing side. Naturally, they are never going to admit this officially. Although they may not look to be so hands on in public, my suspicion is that there will be a gradual pressure exerted on the manager to address obvious and glaring problems that have led to supporter discontent (look at the change of policy towards pre-season tours for an example of required change). I am not convinced that Kroenke himself will play a great part in this. My belief is that he puts quality people in place to do a job. In the 21st century, Arsenal cannot be run in the way it was when the club was still at Highbury. Going forward, accepting that self-sustainability is the way that all clubs are going to have to operate, the club is in rude health and it will be run by people who will maximize the chances of success. I am talking about the long-term.

David Dein returning would be a positive step, even if his motives have raised questions in the past. The reason for this is that Arsenal’s transfer activity has suffered big time since he departed, mainly due to the manager being too hands on. Many a deal has not been concluded due to Wenger’s inability to push a deal through. This is where the reptilian Dein is a master. You might not choose him to live on a desert island with, but he would sweat blood for Arsenal Football Club.

Of course people are going to bemoan the direction Arsenal has taken since moving from Highbury. And yes, its soul has been battered big time by the way the game has changed. Football is a very different sport now, and many of those who used to attend matches have been lost. This is hugely unfortunate, but a consequence of changes – especially the formation of the Premier League and the development of the Champions League – that are now irreversible. Really, it’s become a choice of accepting what the sport in this country has become at the top level or walking away. There is very little supporters can do to fundamentally change it. Stan Kroenke would not have bought into a concern like Arsenal in the 1980s. Now there is gold in them there Highbury Hills, and the club is viewed as an investment opportunity.

I will admit, in recent months I have viewed Kroenke as someone who had invested in the club with a view to making a short term profit on his shares. I did not think he would launch a takeover bid. What has changed this has been Danny Fiszman’s ill health, and the realization that for the American, he either took control or sold up. His decision indicates his view that the club is a sound business proposition and in truth, if you have thousands queuing to buy a minute portion of fish and chips at £7 a throw, then it surely is. The main concern going forward, whether Usmanov sells up or not (and he’d make a healthy profit if he did), is that the club is run as a sporting concern rather than a cash cow. If Kroenke has rejected the Glazer model at Manchester United, then the initial signs are encouraging.

Wow. All this and there was a football match yesterday. I’ll try and keep this brief. Firstly, I wasn’t aware that Manuel Almunia had been injured in the warm-up and assumed that he had been dropped. When the keeper did not appear to take his place on the bench after the interval, I had images of his sitting in the dressing room in a huff, or having stormed out to make his own way back to London. That Jens Lehmann could easily have been dismissed in the second half if Blackpool had not scored might have made life very interesting. Perhaps it was a moment of fate that went Arsenal’s way. A penalty and down to ten men (with Nicklas Bendtner in goal?) would not have seen the same outcome to the match.

Arsene Wenger now faces an interesting selection dilemma next weekend, although he always has the fallback of Almunia’s knee injury becoming the kind that keeps him out of contention, although surely he would have to put him on the bench. Maybe he might say he doesn’t want to risk him but needs him as a sub for insurance purposes. Whatever, it was great to see Lehmann back, not least to see him shout at his defenders and leave them under no illusion what he requires from them. Big personalities can win matches and this is a reason I would retain Lehmann as first pick until Szczesny is ready to play. Almunia’s confidence is shot and I can’t see it coming back anytime soon. It’s something the mad German has never suffered from.

Going forward, the Gunners were profligate to say the least, but with Blackpool as the opposition, they could afford to be for once. The second half spell when the Seasiders threatened to level was a rocky one, but it was weathered. There was no doubt Arsenal deserved to win based on chances created. The high defensive line and lack of pressure exerted by Ian Holloway’s team meant they were the perfect opposition for a Wenger side. Sadly, I think it will also mean that they will not grace the top flight next season, which is a shame.

It was a day of memories, seeing some lesser-spotted phenomena. An experienced international goalkeeper that has a collection of medals under his belt, an Arsenal midfielder making a run into the penalty box to receive a ball from out wide (well played Abou Diaby for that first goal) and an old style football stadium. The weather was sunny and the football entertaining.

Arsenal are still in with a chance of the title because you cannot see Manchester United gaining maximum points for the rest of the season. However, most neutrals believe Wenger’s side will fall short. And the majority of Gooners concur. Certainly, the consistency to win the title has rarely been evident, so why should they suddenly find it when the pressure’s on? The fact is that there won’t be any more games like this in the run-in. Other opposition will not allow such time and space. So it was an enjoyable victory, but I don’t think anyone’s getting carried away. Victories over Liverpool, Spurs, Bolton and Manchester United would of course change that. And as football fans, there is always hope. I do not want to see the season fizzle out, and there is a horrible possibility that United might actually be able to win the title by beating Arsenal in north London on 1st May. If nothing else, that should not be allowed to happen.

If Arsenal can win every one of their remaining seven fixtures, they have a great chance of ending the season as champions. Unlikely as it is, that must be their aim. To find consistency where in the past it has been lacking. Granted they have not lost one of their last 14 Premier League matches, but wins are the currency of titles, not draws. Liverpool lost only two matches in 2008-09 and still finished runners up. Now is the time to start winning. Then, the 6.5% increase in the price of season tickets might just be a little easier to swallow.

We’ll give details of the winners of our Paul Merson competition at the bottom of the first exclusive posted tomorrow