Mikel Arteta says supporters have sent out the strongest message football has ever seen this week, leading to the collapse of the controversial European Super League.
Arsenal were one of six Premier League clubs who had signed up to the ill-fated venture, which began falling apart just two days after it was announced when the top-flight sides dropped out following a huge backlash from the game's authorities, fans and rival clubs.
And Arteta believes the way the ESL plans unravelled highlighted the enormous power of supporters.
Arteta said: 'I think this has given big lessons and it shows the importance of football in the world. And it shows that the soul of this sport belongs to the fans - and that's it.
'During this pandemic, for a year, we have been trying to sustain this industry with no fans in the stadium.
'But, 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.
'And every club, leaving their interests apart, has done the right thing - which is, they are the ones (the fans), we have to listen to them, we put it aside and in 24 hours we kill the project. So that is a massive statement for the history of football.'
More to follow.
