When the European Super League emerged as the potential future of football for the whole of the continent the reaction was unprecedented. Arsenal were among a number of teams to commit themselves to the cause but in a matter of days had backed out.
Now, Arsenal seemingly will have to face the same process again as new proposals from A22 Sports Management, the company promoting the revamped European League. Josh Kroenke had to face supporters with scathing questions and has made his point on the situation clear.
The Gunners' manager, however, has already pointed at the club’s greatest asset - its fans - regarding how it should act. When the initial suggestion of a club-run Super League was discussed Arteta distanced himself and claimed he was not in possession of all the information to state his public opinion on it.
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Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Fulham in 2021, he was asked about the proposals. Unsurprisingly, he refused to give a view at the time.
"I don't know anything about it," he said. "Once I know every detail and have all the information then I can evaluate the situation and give you my opinion."
However, once the whole fiasco had crumbled in days after Arsenal observed one of the biggest fan protests outside of the ground in response to the club’s involvement the Spaniard highlighted those supporters as who must be listed to in these instances. Speaking to the media for the first time after the collapse of the plans, he said: "I think this has given a big lesson. It shows the importance of football in the world and shows that the soul of this sport belongs to the fans, and that's it.
"We've been trying to sustain this industry with no fans in the pandemic, but when they have to come out and talk, they do so loud and clear and they sent probably the strongest message that has ever been sent in the football world.
"Every club has done the right thing, we have to listen to them [the fans]. In 24 hours they killed the project, it's a massive statement for the history of football.
"I found out just a little before the news was leaked. Then everything was out of control and the world reacted in a really unified manner. There was no time to think or reflect because, by the time that was out, a tsunami killed it."
Josh Kroenke admitted that KSE would shoulder any of the financial punishment dealt out due to their involvement in the Super League proposals. However, when Arteta was asked about his club facing punishment, he did remain somewhat open to trying to understand the principle, as he puts it, behind why it had become a thing in the first place.
"I don't know the legal details to respond to that," he said. "When you act, there are always consequences. I don't know the extent of those consequences.
"I think here we have to understand the principle and why those clubs were trying to achieve something, but if it wasn't done in the right way, there are always consequences and we'll have to accept that if there are."
With this new proposal coming forward, Arteta faces the media on Friday ahead of the match with Brentford. It will be interesting to see whether his view has changed on it in the time since he last spoke on the initiative.
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