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Following the historic European Court of Justice verdict on Thursday regarding the European Super League, Arsenal has confirmed that they are still committed to participating in UEFA competitions.
One of the twelve major continental teams that signed up for the initial plans in April 2021 was The Gunners. Players, supporters, and governments fiercely opposed the plans.
Protests sprang out outside Premier League stadiums, including the Emirates, and Arsenal and eight other teams—all six of the league’s teams—withdrew from the plans shortly after.
In spite of the possibility of being kicked out of FIFA and UEFA competitions, Barcelona and Real Madrid persisted in reiterating their commitment to the failing idea after Juventus also declared their decision to leave this summer.
However, after being brought before the European Court of Justice, it was determined that the two governing bodies had violated the law when they attempted to prevent players from enrolling in the European Super League, raising the possibility of the breakaway tournament being revived.
Twelve teams in a closed league with no promotion or relegation were part of the original concepts, but A22 Sports, the main sponsors of the European Super League, quickly revealed their intentions for a redesigned tournament with 64 men’s teams and 32 women’s teams.
Support for the Super League is still lacking, despite A22’s announcement that all games will be streamed for free to spectators. The competition will feature three leagues: Star, Gold, and Blue.
Arsenal did not respond on Thursday, but the Gunners affirmed that their stance has not altered since they withdrew from the 2021 plans moments before Mikel Arteta addressed the media on Friday morning.
“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,” said the statement.
“We will continue to play in UEFA competitions and continue to work with fellow European clubs and the European Club Association (ECA).”
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Arteta, who guided Arsenal back into the Champions League after a seven-year absence the previous season, said that his players “love” to compete in Europe’s elite event and emphasised the importance of “looking after” supporters in his pre-Liverpool press conference.
“We love playing in the Champions League, and we will continue to do so,” Arteta stated. “The fundamental reason this game belongs to the supporters is the enthusiasm they bring to the game. Their opinion matters a lot and we have to take care of them.”
Arteta responded, “I don’t know,” when asked if the Super League would survive without English teams. Everybody has their own commitments and opinions. Who knows what will happen in the end.”
Along with a host of other European powerhouses like Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Roma, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea all criticised the revised Super League plans on Thursday.
The Super League idea has also been rejected by the Premier League, and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has downplayed the project’s likelihood of success.
