Mikel Arteta has provided details of Stan Kroenke’s grovelling apology to him amid the European Super League fiasco.
Arsenal were one of the 12 clubs to sign up for the controversial breakaway league, which was met with huge backlash on social media as well as fan protests.
Arsenal fans made their disdain heard outside the Emirates on Tuesday, putting pressure on the Gunners board who eventually U-turned on their decision along with the rest of the Premier League big six.
Amid the mess, Arteta spoke to both Arsenal owner Kroenke as well as Gunners chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arteta faced the media on Thursday and revealed when he found out about Arsenal’s involvement in the competition.
“I found out just a little bit before the news was leaked. And then everything was completely out of control and the world reacted in a really unified manner,” said Arteta.
“It shows that the soul of this sport belongs to the fans and that’s it. When the fans have to come out and talk, they’ve done it really loud and clear and they sent probably the strongest message that has ever been sent in the football world.”
On receiving an apology, he added: “Yes [I did]. Starting from Vinai, the ownership, and everybody that is involved in the process.
(Image: PA)
“All of them with the right intentions to defend the club and put the club in the best possible position for now and for the future but accepting that the way it’s been handled obviously has had terrible consequences and that it was a mistake.”
On what Kroenke said to him, Arteta detailed: “[He apologised to me] for disturbing the team by doing that, not having the capacity or the ability to communicate in a different way earlier and to explain the reasons why and pass on that message to the players.”
