ARTETA SURVEYS DAMAGE
ARSENAL BOSS RECEIVES APOLOGY FROM KROENKE AFTER BREAKAWAY COLLAPSE
MIKEL ARTETA has revealed he received an apology from Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke over the failed European Super League breakaway and says the club is now on the ‘back foot’ as it bids to win over its fans.
The Gunners were one of six Premier League sides to have been announced as founding members of the ESL last Sunday, a move which lasted 48 hours before it began to crumble under the might of supporter unrest and nationwide disgust at the plans of the so-called ‘big six’.
Fans are expected to protest against Kroenke and the Arsenal board outside the Emirates Stadium before tonight’s home fixture with Everton and Arteta admitted there are bridges that need to be rebuilt.
‘Some damage has been done, that’s for sure, and now it’s our job individually (as clubs) to try to rebuild that trust with everybody. First, with our fans and then with the other clubs in the Premier League and within Europe and then around the world,’ said the Gunners boss.
‘In time we will be able to do that. The club will be able to explain in more detail the processes they’ve been through to make that decision and hopefully, slowly, we’ll gain some of that territory back.’
Arteta spoke to Kroenke and his son Josh, and was given an apology. He insists it is time to move on from the sorry saga, admitting: ‘It’s been very challenging and I would say it puts us a little bit on the back foot again.’
He added: ‘My biggest aim now is to get our people and our fans back proud of the team.’
The Spaniard firmly believes the club’s reputation will survive. Asked why, he replied: ‘Because of history and you cannot deny the history, that gives a certain way of doing things, certain values to represent.
‘To have the amount of love and support we have around the world is not a coincidence. That’s been earned over years and years.’
There is a theory teams will target the six breakaway clubs now but Arteta warned: ‘I hope (not) and I would like everybody to understand the players were not involved in {the breakaway) and they should not be the ones paying the price.’