Arsenal board admit ‘We made a mistake, and we apologise for it’

ARSENAL were quick to apologise to their supporters tonight (Tuesday) as the shambolic plans for a European Super League collapsed just 48 hours after being unveiled.

The so-called “big six” in the Premier League – the Gunners, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United – were all confirmed as “founding members” of the breakaway competition late Sunday night.

They were all willing and ready to change the face of football as we know it by joining AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid in playing midweek home and away fixtures while also trying to juggle their domestic responsibilities.

But in a move that marks a landmark moment for fan power, all six clubs have now withdrawn from the league following overwhelming negative worldwide reaction.

An open letter from the Arsenal board read: “The last few days have shown us yet again the depth of feeling our supporters around the world have for this great club and the game we love.

“We needed no reminding of this but the response from supporters in recent days has given us time for further reflection and deep thought.

“It was never our intention to cause such distress, however when the invitation to join the Super League came, while knowing there were no guarantees, we did not want to be left behind to ensure we protected Arsenal and its future.

“As a result of listening to you and the wider football community over recent days we are withdrawing from the proposed Super League. We made a mistake, and we apologise for it.”

Insisting that the decision to join the Super League was “driven by our desire to protect Arsenal”, the board acknowledged that “it will take time” to restore the faith that supporters have in the club.

The statement continued: “Stability is essential for the game to prosper and we will continue to strive to bring the security the game needs to move forward.

“The system needs to be fixed. We must work together to find solutions which protect the future of the game and harness the extraordinary power football has to get us on the edge of our seats.

“Finally, we know this has been hugely unsettling at the end of what has been an incredibly difficult year for us all.

“Our aim is always to make the right decisions for this great football club, to protect it for the future and to take us forward. We didn’t make the right decision here, which we fully accept.”