REVEALED

The night Arsenal, United and Liverpool chiefs met in New York

ENGLISH football’s traditional Big Three clubs — Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool — have held talks in New York, further eroding collective top-flight power.

Having dinner together in Italian restaurant Locanda Verde in the trendy Tribeca district last week were Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis, Liverpool’s principal owner John W Henry, Manchester United executive vice- chairman Ed Woodward and club- owning Glazer brothers Avram and Joel.

The unlikely dining companions made no secret of their summit, choosing such a popular eatery that they were photographed by an Arsenal fan.

The likely topic was the distribution of Premier League overseas TV rights, with their meal occurring just seven days ays before a second meeting g of clubs. This was later cancelled because the 20 are in deadlock — split 11- 9 against changes wanted by the Big Six, when a 14-6 majority is needed.

But a Big Three union n in the Big Apple changes ges the dynamic, when it had been the Big Six agitating for a larger share of TV money.

Arsenal said Gazidis was in New York to see owner Stan Kroenke and it had been a dinner to discuss NFL meetings. United said Woodward was catching up with the Glazers around the same NFL talks, while Henry was there for the ‘common interests’ of the Premier League.

There is no indication as to which of the multi-millionaires picked up what would have been a sizeable bill, with prices for wine going up to $ 960 (£ 730) for a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino 2000.