ARSENAL issued a grovelling apology to fans after the Prem’s Big Six sensationally quit the European Super League on a historic night for football.
But club legend Ian Wright is not satisfied and has called for controversial owner Stan Kroenke to walk in the wake of mass fan outrage.
Gunners chiefs admitted they shot themselves in the foot in an open letter to fans.
It 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.
“We know it will take time to restore your faith in what we are trying to achieve here at Arsenal but let us be clear that the decision to be part of the Super League was driven by our desire to protect Arsenal, the club you love, and to support the game you love through greater solidarity and financial stability.
“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.
MORE ON SUPER LEAGUE OUTRAGE
“We have heard you. The Arsenal Board”.
Man Utd chief Ed Woodward has already resigned after a rollercoaster two days of negative publicity.
And Gunners legend Wrighty tweeted the hashtag ‘KroenkeOut’ as he made his feeling clear.
Man City were the first to officially withdraw from plans for the proposed competition while Chelsea followed suit after large fan protests outside Stamford Bridge.
Supporters blocked the team bus from entering ahead of tonight’s game against Brighton.
Chelsea legend Petr Cech was branded a ‘traitor’ as he pleaded with irate protestors to step aside, with news breaking moments later that the Blues would be exiting.
And Arsenal now look set to follow in their footsteps following anger across the continent at ESL plans.
Players, management and football authorities reacted with shock and mainly disgust to Sunday night’s sudden announcement of a closed-shop, breakaway set-up from 12 rich clubs.
And ESPN’S James Olley suggested Gunners’ stars are the latest players to confirm they were kept completely out of the picture.
Olley tweeted: “Been told the Arsenal players are still in the dark over the club’s Super League plans.
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“No meetings with club execs, nothing as yet.
“Presumably something will happen in due course but owners opting to not even communicate with their own players isn’t a good look.”
German news outlet Bild claim three Premier League clubs are already having serious doubts over the ESL due to the backlash against it.
And speculation particularly surrounds Manchester City’s involvement
It follows claims City and Chelsea only learned of the breakaway plan last week.
Just one club withdrawing could bring the plans down.
But Real Madrid have already defended joining the ESL – claiming it will “save football”
Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Inter and AC Milan are the other clubs in the 12.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
