22 December 2023 , 11:22
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Mikel Arteta has refused to comment on Barcelona's hopes of resurrecting the European Super League.
The Arsenal boss started his playing career at the Nou Camp, with Barca having been one of the driving forces behind the first ill-fated ESL proposal. The Gunners were one of the clubs to sign up, though pulled out after a wave of fan protests in England.
That prompted the collapse of the proposal, with UEFA handing out sanctions as a result. But that decision was challenged in the European courts, who on Thursday returned a judgement that opens the door for the Super League to return, with Barca president Joan Laporta immediately announcing his club's involvement.
“We believe that the time has come for clubs, and even more so for those that are owned by their members, as is the case of FC Barcelona, to have greater control over their destiny, over their future and their own sustainability," Laporta said.
“Barca’s position on the issue of a new format of the European League does not intend to go against the Spanish League or the national Leagues in general. On the contrary, with better European competition and more resources for the clubs, the national leagues will become more balanced and competitive."
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On Friday morning, Arsenal announced that unlike Barca, they would play no part in any future Super League. While Arteta has backed that decision, he refused to criticise Barca for taking the opposite view.
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Mikel Arteta has refused to comment on Barcelona's involvement in the new European Super League (Arsenal FC)"That’s not for me to judge. Everybody has got the right reasons and I’m sure a lot of thought why they defend their position, the club’s position in the best possible. I can talk about what is best for Arsenal and the decision that we have made as a club," he said.
"I don’t know, whatever the decision is of any club and everybody in football and what we are involved in is two things - one is the soul of this game which is our supporters because they are what make this game possible - and the players.
"Look after those two in the best possible way. I think that’s our responsibility and every decision has to be focused on those two aspects especially, and then to have a game that promotes integrity and the beauty of the game and try to find that."
Arteta has also insisted that the Gunners are happy to continue playing in the Champions League. The new ESL proposal would replace the competition, but Arteta has backed the decision to reject an invite.
"We are very clear. Exactly the same. We remain in the same position. We love playing in the Champions League and will continue to do so. The conversations that we had were very clear as to the experience that we had as you said two years ago," he added.
"The club has issued a statement that is very clear and transparent, and we’ll stick to that. 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. That’s what drives this league and a lot of football supporters to watch it every time because it’s beautiful."