Arsenal 'never want' domestic breakaway despite 'Super League' talks

Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham insists the club will not entertain leaving the Premier League despite its participation in controversial talks about a European "Super League."

The Gunners were one of 11 outfits discussing an alternative competition to the Champions League and their respective domestic divisions, according to documents Football Leaks released. The possible venture, touted to begin in 2021, would present a glass ceiling for sides looking to gatecrash Europe's established elite, and potentially slash the number of historic, national rivalries featured in the club football calendar.

Venkatesham says it was in Arsenal's best interests to attend the "Super League" meetings, but he maintains the club isn't interested in abandoning the Premier League.

"We have to be in the conversations. It doesn't necessarily mean we support them," Venkatesham said, according to BBC Sport.

"Arsenal aren't, or never have been, interested in playing in any competition that weakens the Premier League. The Premier League is the world's leading league in the leading sport - we don't want to do anything to damage it."

Venkatesham, who was named managing director after Ivan Gazidis stepped down as chief executive for an equivalent role at AC Milan, added: "I see these articles that Arsenal want to break away. We never want to do any of that. But we also have to recognize we have to be in these conversations or we wouldn't be responsible."

Raul Sanllehi, the director of football at Arsenal, reiterated Venkatesham's belief that clubs at the continent's top table have a responsibility to join the gatherings.

He also said the notion of a "Super League" helped negotiate stronger deals for Arsenal and other big clubs in the Champions League agreement with UEFA. That would include aspects such as safeguarding four Champions League qualification places in each of Europe's leading leagues, and ensuring UEFA is aware its clubs know their value when it comes to distributing money received from television rights.

"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," Sanllehi said.

"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."

Sanllehi wouldn't rule out the possibility of a European "Super League" starting one day, but he doesn't see it happening any time soon.

"I don't know what the future will bring because the future writes itself," Sanllehi said, via The Guardian's Amy Lawrence. "I don't envision, not in the short term or medium term, radical change."