There is ‘resentment’ behind the scenes at Arsenal amid the ongoing European Super League row, with The Athletic suggesting that the proposals have not gone down well at the Emirates.
Perhaps this is the clearest indicator yet about how the players themselves really feel about the prospect of a breakaway competition; one that would alter the very DNA of European football?
In theory, a European Super League would guarantee Arsenal a place at the top table and annual meetings with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
All this at a time when Arsenal have not played Champions League football since 2017. Currently sitting ninth in the English top flight, there is a very good chance that Mikel Arteta’s side will miss out on a place in Europe entirely for 2021/22.
But, according to The Athletic, that does not mean the European Super League plans have been well received at Arsenal.
Far from it.
The report claims there is ‘resentment’ about the way these gut-wrenching plans have been sprung on the players with next-to-no prior warning.
After snatching a 97th-minute equaliser against relegation-threatened Fulham on Sunday, it is hard to imagine how on earth Arsenal would benefit from entering a new tournament that would pit them against the very best clubs on the continent on a weekly basis.
Surely finishing at the very bottom of the European Super League year after year would do very little for Stan Kroenke’s ‘brand’?
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