THE north London rain beat down ceaselessly but the demonstrators refused to be bowed. 

They had assembled outside Arsenal’s home, the Emirates, to exercise their democratic right to protest peacefully, come rain or shine.

The smell of cordite filled the air and red pyro clouded the view as a chant erupted of “We hate Kroenke,” the song in reference to the club’s hated absentee owners.

The failed European Super League (ESL) has been a catalyst in a bid to unsettle, if not unseat, their unpopular billionaire owners, shameless in their greed as much as haughty in their ignorance regarding the traditions of the game. 

Today afternoon’s protest before Mikel Arteta’s side beat Brighton 2-0 in front of a crowd of 10,000 was another example of fan power and supporter solidarity. 

A diverse mix of young and old Gooners took part as plenty of police looked on. The protesters raised homemade placards, banners and flags to make their point in the pouring rain.

“Fuck KSE” were the words on one. Another said: “Fuck Kroenke.”

An advertising hoarding across the Hornsey Road simply read: “Kroneke Out. Fans In.” The particular site had been purposely targeted by the Arsenal Supporters Trust (AST) to give their message maximum exposure before the game. 

AST’s work had been instrumental in bringing down the ESL. Many members were present at the demonstration including the tireless Tim Payton along with Akhil Vyas, whose passion went viral when he fearlessly criticised Josh Kroenke during a Zoom call to fans last month. 

Speaking to the Morning Star outside the Emirates, Vyas said: “It is great to see Arsenal fans coming together once again to show owner Stan and Josh Kroenke that things must change.

“The message is clear: improve the board and get fans in for custodian issues by giving them a stake and voting rights.”

While the ESL was shot down in days, Arsenal supporters face a longer fight in attempting to remove Kroenke and his investment vehicle KSE. 

Outside the Armoury, the club’s flagship store, the crowd continued to light flares and sing their songs mocking greedy billionaires. 

However, a man with a megaphone highlighted an irony apparent to many.

“Why are you buying the kit?” he shouted into his amplifier at a handful of fans entering the shop, adding accusingly: “When you know you’re lining Kroenke’s pockets?”

It was a question that goes to the crux of the issue for many. How do you back your heroes on the pitch, while making your displeasure known about the ownership?

The paradox was further underlined as a father and his young daughter made their way though the crowds, the smoke and the rain. The little girl was wearing the new Arsenal away kit while the dad held a Kroenke Out poster. 

“Support the team, not the regime,” another man shouted in the crowd. A mantra many agree with. In other words, a targeted disengagement in a bid to hit the club’s owners where it hurts: in the pocket. 

Spotify owner Daniel Ek has already made a bid that was immediately rebuffed, which, according to the billionaire Swede who owns the global music streaming service, the US owners turned down flat, insisting “they didn’t need the money.”

Maybe the Kroenkes don’t need the cash, but Arteta desperately does if he wants want to challenge next season. 

Against Graham Potter’s spirited Brighton side they showed plenty of endeavour but little end product in an opening 45 minutes, more notable for the return of fans to the ground. 

Prior to kick-off, pre-match rituals had been resurrected by many. Old pals caught up with each other at the various hostelries around the ground amid beer and bonhomie.

There was further reason to celebrate at The Tollington, a pre-game fixture, as the pub had received a stay of execution against rapacious landlords. 

There was finally something to celebrate on the pitch, too, when Nicolas Pepe scored four minutes into the second half to put the Gunners ahead, prompting an outpouring of joy from long-suffering fans. 

Pepe made it 2-0 on the hour mark and 16 for the season, slotting home with a low, left-footed curler after being fed by Martin Odegaard — even if the Gunners ended the season in eighth place, missing out on European qualification for the first time in 25 years.

No wonder so many in the crowd followed the lead of the pre-match demonstrators in chorusing “Kroenke Out” at the final whistle.