Arsenal chiefs confirm talks and interest in European Super League, but insist they will not quit Premier League

Arsenal chiefs confirm talks and interest in European Super League, but insist they will not quit Premier League
Arsenal chiefs say they have to be part of any discussions on a future European Super League – but deny the club would break away from the Premier League if a new competition comes to fruition.The threat of such a move is back on the agenda after Der Spiegel published a story that claimed several of Europe’s biggest clubs – unhappy at having to share European broadcast revenues with the wider football family – have been secretly plotting to form a rival tournament.2

Arsenal are keeping their options open

Based on documents and emails obtained from the whistle-blowing platform Football Leaks, the German magazine claimed 11 clubs, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and the Gunners could sign up to a US-style, closed league, with five more big names invited to make it a 16-team competition.The breakaway league would cause major disruption to the current football model, with the Premier League and Champions League suffering as a result.Vinai Venkatesham, managing director at Arsenal, is keen for the club to be involved in any conversations surrounding a new league – but insists they have no intention of leaving the domestic game behind.“Arsenal aren’t or never have been interested in playing in any competition that weakens the Premier League,” he said.“The Premier League is the world’s leading league in the leading sport, we don’t want to do anything to damage the Premier League.“When people talk about the European Super League, that covers a really big spectrum. People jump to one end of the spectrum and think this is what we are talking about – but actually often it’s just a slight evolution from where we are today.“I see these articles that Arsenal want to breakaway, we never want to do any of that. But we also have to recognise we have to be in these conversations or we wouldn’t be responsible.“We have to be in the conversations, it doesn’t necessarily mean we support them.”2

PSG have the most points per game in Europe so far this season

Venkatesham was appointed to the role of managing director at the Emirates Stadium after former chief executive Ivan Gazidis left for AC Milan.As part of the reshuffle, Raul Sanllehi took the new position of Arsenal’s head of football.The Spaniard was part of a working group which first looked into a European Super League during his time in a similar role at Barcelona.But he believes any such revamp is still some way off and that renegotiating the terms of the Champions League with UEFA has put off any immediate threat of a breakaway division.“Basically, as we are responsible for top European clubs, the ECA (European Club Association) had to look to all the options for the future,” he said.“One of them, of course, could have been the possibility of a European Super League. It was a conversation we didn’t hide from anybody not even from the ECA smaller clubs.“We looked into that in two ways: a way of exploring the real possibility and also how it would help us to negotiate with UEFA under the new terms because every cycle we will negotiate the Memorandum of Understanding. “At the end of the day the outcome was the best possible because we got into a new deal with UEFA within the system that protected the domestic leagues.”Asked if he thought a Super League would happen, Sanllehi replied: “Not in the short term because we have an agreement with UEFA right now – but I don’t know what the future will bring because the future writes itself.“But what I can assure you is, we think the current situation is an optimal situation we [Arsenal] are very proud to be in the Premier League.“By all means it’s the best competition in the world and we want to be in the Champions League because we believe it’s the best continental competition in the world.

---

Liverpool news and transfers RECAP - Yerry Mina linked with Reds, Fekir tipped for move, Kirkland wanted Pickford Fabinho of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood AC Milan have
Liverpool Transfer Rumours and News - ProSportsDaily.com

---

Mason Bennett goal for Derby v Wigan like Gareth Bale's Champions League final overhead kick v Liverpool, says Frank Lampard Wednesday, 6 March 2019 Derby boss Frank Lampard has compared Mason Bennett's wonder goal to Gareth Bale's stunning strike in last season's Champions League final.
Mason Bennett - talkSPORT

---

Chelsea new striker Gonzalo Higuain reveals who he wants to play with at Stamford Bridge It was a wonderful season and one in which I broke the goalscoring record, which is very important out
Gonzalo Higuain - Football News Today

---

The UEFA Nations League begins next weekend, with England taking on Spain in their inaugural match in the new competition. The Nations League sees England take on Spain and World Cup semi-final conquerors Croatia twice each with the group winners heading into a finals tournament next summer.

---

MANCHESTER CITY ace Bernardo Silva refuses to take down his Christmas tree after his side lifted the Premier League title. The Portugese playmaker revealed on Instagram his tree is still up six
Bizarre reason Man City star Bernardo Silva STILL has

---

PHIL'S THE ONE Phil Foden started his third Champions League as Manchester City came from behind to beat Hoffenheim 2-1 Pep Guardiola praised 'skinny' Phil Foden and his Manchester City side for overcoming Hoffenheim 2-1 in the Champions League to secure top spot in Group F with qualification already assured.
How Man City should line up vs Hoffenheim in the Champions

---

Leyton Orient secured their return to the Football League with a tense goalless draw at home to Braintree. The O's suffered a dramatic fall from grace and tumbled out of League Two in 2017
Leyton Orient promoted to end two-year exile from the

---

Everton striker Cenk Tosun has underlined his determination to fight for his place in Marco Silva's side, despite a lack of action this season. wants to stay at Goodison Park. "I will fight
Tosun performance gives him glimmer of hope for Everton future

---

The Football Association has sold more than 20,000 tickets for England's friendly against the United States since former captain Wayne Rooney's one-off international comeback was confirmed, an FA
Rooney tunes - bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com

---

It was a mixed season for Chelsea, to say the very least. The Blues responded to heavy defeats at Bournemouth and Manchester City to seal a top three finish in the Premier League - thus confirming
Jim Ratcliffe: 5 Things to Know About Billionaire Linked With

---

Transfer News: Man United Want Juventus Star As Paul Pogba Price Is set Manchester United are reported to have told Juventus of the one player they need in return and as a feature of any transfer that takes Paul Pogba back to Turin.
Paul Pogba injury: Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho

---

Emiliano Sala latest: Rescuers warn search now 'recovery operation' - debris found A RESCUE team has confirmed the hunt for missing Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala is now a "recovery
Emiliano Sala: Search for missing footballer and pilot may be

---

Arsenal and Chelsea legend Ashley Cole joins Derby aged 38 in unlikely transfer return from his former teammate Frank Lampard now he's signed for Derby County. Free agent. Former teams
Football transfer rumours: Ashley Cole to Aston Villa or

---

Sensational Mane sets new Liverpool record by scoring twice in Wednesday's 3-1 Champions League win over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. match one goal behind Steven Gerrard and

---

Women's World Cup preview for England vs Scotland in Nice, including how to watch info, team news, recent form and prediction.
Women's World Cup odds, predictions 2019: Betting lines

---