Mikel Arteta has reaffirmed his and Arsenal’s opposition to a potential European Super League.
The proposed new plans for the breakaway league were revealed on Thursday after the controversial competition received a boost when the European Court of Justice ruled that UEFA and FIFA were found to have acted against competition law in blocking its creation in 2021.
However, the new three league 64-team format was immediately rejected by clubs including Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, while several others, including Arsenal, have since come out in opposition against the plans.
And speaking ahead of the Gunners’ top-of-the-table Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, Arteta insisted his views were unchanged.
‘It’s all very clear on our side,’ he said. ‘We remain in the same position.
Mikel Arteta said he remains opposed to a potential breakaway European Super League (ESL)
ESL CEO Bernd Reichart revealed the breakaway league’s proposed new structure on Thursday
‘We love playing Champions League football and we will continue to do so, our plan doesn’t change. Football belongs to the fans’.
Earlier on Friday in a statement, Arsenal had said: ‘Arsenal Football Club notes the judgement by the European Court of Justice on Thursday, 21 December 2023 and our position in relation to the European Super League has not changed.
‘We will continue to play in UEFA competitions and continue to work with fellow European clubs and the European Club Association (ECA).’
Wednesday also marked Arteta’s four year anniversary in the dugout at the Emirates.
The Spaniard has overseen impressive progress at the club, with the Gunners finishing 8th, 8th, 5th and then 2nd under his tutelage.
He also won the FA Cup in 2019-20 and the Community Shield in 2020 and 2023, while this season Arteta has guided Arsenal to the Champions League knockout stages on their return to the competition following a seven-year absence.
Arteta marked four years as Arsenal boss earlier this week but said he wanted to win more
The Gunners sit top of the Premier League and face a crunch clash with Liverpool on Saturday
And, when asked about his impressive record, Arteta added: ‘I’m sure I would (have taken that).
‘But we haven’t still won enough important things and we want to be better and more successful.
‘(There are) A lot of things we have achieved together in those four years but that’s nice for the people that have been in this journey with us together and the ones that are behind us as well.’
Arsenal head into the blockbuster clash with Liverpool one point clear of the Reds at the top of the Premier League.
