Mikel Arteta has said Arsenal are “privileged” to play in the Premier League after they became the latest English club to publicly denounce the new European Super League plot.
Arsenal have followed Chelsea, Tottenham and both Manchester clubs in issuing a statement to pledge their commitment to UEFA competitions.
A revised proposal for a 64-team Super League was announced on Thursday after the European Court of Justice ruled that UEFA and FIFA rules banning breakaway competitions were contrary to EU law.
But the possibility of English clubs considering a fresh breakaway is minimal because of fan revolts over their initial involvement in 2021, the threat of Premier League sanctions and imminent government legislation.
In a statement on Friday, Arsenal said: “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.”
Arteta says the competitive nature of the Premier League is what makes it so popular with fans.
He also insists Arsenal “love playing in the Champions League” and believes decisions around the future of football should put the interests of fans and players at the forefront.
Asked for his reaction to Arsenal’s statement, Arteta said: “Very clear. Exactly the same. We remain in the same position. We love playing in the Champions League and we’ll continue to do so.
“I think we are so privileged to have the league that we have, to have the competition that we have, to have the uncertainty that we have every single game with what is going to happen.
“[It is] what drives, I think this league, and a lot of football supporters to watch it every time, because it is beautiful.
“Whatever the decision of any club, the soul of this game belongs to the supporters as they make this possible and then it is the players.
“Look after those two in the best possible way. That is our big responsibility and our duty. Every decision has to be focused on those two aspects and then have a game that promotes integrity and the beauty of the game.”
Liverpool are the only one of the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ not to distance themselves from the new Super League proposals, which are backed only by Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Government sources have ruled out any future involvement from Premier League clubs.
In response to the court ruling on Friday, a spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: "We will shortly be bringing forward legislation that will stop clubs from joining any similar breakaway competitions in the future."
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has tried to brush off the threat posed by the latest version of the Super League, saying: “They can create whatever they want. I hope they start their fantastic competition as soon as possible, with two clubs. I hope they know what they are doing but I am not so sure about that."
