Mikel Arteta says opinion of fans 'very important' as Arsenal reject ESL - 'This game belongs to them'

Mikel Arteta has reaffirmed Arsenal’s rejection of the latest European Super League plans, insisting that fans are the lifeblood of the sport and therefore “their opinion is very, very important.”

A Super League was first proposed in 2021 but widespread backlash saw it quickly collapse.

Backed by A22 Sports, the ESL was given a boost when the European Court of Justice ruled that FIFA and UEFA acted unlawfully in blocking the breakaway venture before revamped plans for a men’s and women’s competition were unveiled.

But several major European clubs, including Arsenal, put out statements rejecting the new proposal and Arteta was quizzed on the matter ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Anfield on Saturday.

“We are very clear,” Arteta told reporters. “Exactly the same, we remain in the same position. We love playing in the Champions League and will continue to do so."

He added: “The conversations that we had [with the owners] were very clear as to the experience that we had two years ago. I think the club has issued a statement that is very clear and transparent, and we’ll stick to that.”

Arsenal were included in the original line-up of 12 teams when the idea of the European Super League, a tournament outside of UEFA, was first announced in 2021.

Alongside Arsenal from the Premier League were Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham, and they were joined by La Liga’s Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as Serie A giants AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus.

It sparked fury among fans and various other stakeholder groups, with governments even threatening to get involved before a majority of clubs withdrew.

“Obviously, football supporters and the passion they bring to the game is the main reason why this game belongs to them and to the players because they are the absolute protagonists and what makes this game so enjoyable,” Arteta added.

“And we have to look after them and their opinion is very, very important.”

The latest ESL proposal is for a midweek tournament featuring a three-tiered men’s and two-tiered women’s competition that would see teams battle it out with promotion and relegation on the line.

Arsenal joined the two Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Tottenham in rejecting the new plans, while the Premier League also released a statement on the matter.

It read: “The ruling does not endorse the so-called ‘European Super League’ and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept.

“Supporters are of vital importance to the game and they have time and again made clear their opposition to a 'breakaway' competition that severs the link between domestic and European football.

“The Premier League reiterates its commitment to the clear principles of open competition that underpin the success of domestic and international club competitions.”

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