Arsenal fans fly ‘Back Arteta Kroenke Out’ banner before Aston Villa defeat as they support boss’ transfer demands

ARSENAL fans flew a huge banner over Villa Park as they supported their frustrated manager's transfer demands.

The blunt message - "Back Arteta Kroenke Out" - was even longer than the plane it trailed from as the Gunners down below slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

Arsenal boss Arteta said after the game that he has the "full backing" of Kroenke and the hierarchy.

The Spaniard said: "The Kroenkes and the board and the sporting director, I have their full backing.

"I have that 100 per cent - the fans have to believe what I'm saying."

Arsenal boss Arteta had previously warned club owner Stan Kroenke not to sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - with the Spaniard also insisting the star striker wants to sign a new contract.

Aubameyang started up front alongside Alexandre Lacazette at Villa - but Arsenal have no experienced back up for those two proven goal-getters.

Arsenal struggled to create chances against the relegation strugglers with Eddie Nketiah coming closest, heading a corner aghainst the post.

Fans have grown increasingly worried that Gabon ace Aubameyang will be sold this summer.

The 31-year-old's current deal runs out in 2021, with Barcelona - and at one stage Manchester United - among his apparent suitors.

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That was perhaps one reason why Arteta spoke so frankly earlier this month.

He said then: “We cannot be a team that has to sell its best player to try to bring in and improve our squad, that’s for sure.

“Things change in football very quickly but when you ask me in that moment how I feel about Auba’s future, I feel he wants to continue with us and keep helping us become a better team."

Arsenal supporters have also become irritated by what they see as a lack of spending - despite a large gulf developing between the Gunners and clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City and United.

Arsenal's supremo, Kroenke, has generally kept out of the limelight, though.

Known as 'Silent Stan', he can more accurately be called the owner of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment - Arsenal's holding company.

The company also own sports teams across the pond, such as the LA Rams of the NFL,  Denver Nuggets of the NBA, Colorado Avalanche of the NHL, and Colorado Rapids of the MLS.

And with an estimated fortune of around £5bn, thanks to owning retail chain Walmart, Kroenke is one of the Prem's wealthiest owners.