Kroenke already feels in control of Arsenal

Stan Kroenke feels he's now in control of Arsenal.

The Independent says Kroenke increased his holding yesterday towards the "trigger stake" of 30 per cent that would force a mandatory bid, but informed sources insist he feels he is already effectively in control of the club's destiny. His latest purchase of 427 shares, announced yesterday, cost him £8,500 per share, or £3.6m, to take his total holding to 18,394 shares, or 29.56 per cent.

Kroenke's long-term ambition is to own Arsenal, or a majority of it, but he will not go above the trigger stake until at least May 2010, and quite possibly a lot later. The trigger holding would be 18,666 shares, so Kroenke can buy a further 271 shares before having to make a mandatory bid.

Yesterday's purchase values the club at £528.8m.