22 Aug 2016 22:43:59
If a European Super League was set up, say 12 teams, do you think Arsenal would be picked by the FIFA committee?
Basically, are Arsenal classed as an elite team and one of the 'best' dozen teams in European football?
22 Aug 2016 22:53:31
I could be way off here, and most likely am, most of what i say on this site is unfiltered nonsense my brain let's out.
But I think we would mate.
Not necessarily because we're one of the top 12 teams in Europe (though I'd wager we just, just, are on our day) but if a there was to be a new league starting, the 'founders' of it will be looking to draw as much attention to it as possible and Arsenal have one of the biggest followings around the world.
We'd certainly be a draw for fans around the world, not in the league of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern or Utd, but I think we're up there!
If we deserve to be or not, is a different matter.
22 Aug 2016 22:59:47
As far as size and set up yes, as far as european football power no. Every team that has won the champs league would have an argument ahead of us and we qualify but don't progress very far each time, compared to others.
22 Aug 2016 23:31:29
I assume it would be top 2 or 3 from the main leagues - so probably not. If based on last 10 years success in UEFA - possibly but tight. Based on politics - yes.
22 Aug 2016 23:32:21
D_ and Steve.
Elite team?
Yet we haven't won our domestic league in 12 years.
22 Aug 2016 23:47:42
It all depends what angle you're taking though Dags.
If you're saying go purely off footballing successes, then no, we won't make it, with only 2 F. A cups and 2 Community shields in our recent triumphs,
But if you're looking for the 'big' teams, we will.
Arsenal's commercial draw and the worldwide following the club have is one of the biggest in world football.
If a new league was to start (and a lot of people think it may) you're going to want the big names playing to get those views in.
I think it also depends where the organisers will look for teams.
Are you going to say just the bigger leagues, say Prem, La Liga. Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Primera and Ervdiesie (butcher the spelling on those last two) or do you have a UCL style thing where instead of the top 1/ 2/ 3/ 4 from a league, you say the winner of the league gets to come in?
I think if someone came to me and said 'here's exactly how the teams will be picked, will Arsenal make it' i could give a straight answer.
As it stands, there are too many unknowns for me personally to say ' this will/ won't happen'
{Ed007's Note - Ed002 has a post on the Southampton page updating the latest on changes to the CL format and the break away super league.
Arsenal are part of England's 'Big Four' along with Utd, City and Chelsea, as a Celtic fan I feel like most Liverpool fans that we should be involved but both of them aren't even getting scraps from their table the way things are looking.
A 12 team European Super League isn't going to happen, it'll be the top 4 teams/clubs from the big 4 leagues that will form the base of the league so there's 16 teams right away.}
23 Aug 2016 00:16:44
Dags no we aren't an elite team, yet.
23 Aug 2016 00:18:11
If arsenal was to be picked I bet it would be because of their style of play. Pass pass pass and then draw or lose at the end. Oh and if we get lucky, we get to win by a slim margin.
23 Aug 2016 01:00:35
Ed007,
I guess it depends on what criteria they are looking for.
Based on recent form (say, 10 years) , Arsenal are above Liverpool.
But, in terms of elitism and European success, liverpool are way in front of Arsenal (5 CL/ European Cup successes to Arsenal's none) .
{Ed007's Note - So should Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest be involved, Dags? That's getting into the same territory as Celtic fans thinking, I've been telling them for 5 years we won't be involved but they think the fact we won the EC, the stadium and fans etc is enough to gate crash the party. Sentiment doesn't come into it, this is about cold hard cash.}
23 Aug 2016 01:09:48
Cheers for clearing that up for me Ed!
I must admit, I've got mixed feelings about a new 'league' I'm not really sure how it'd affect the current state of affairs.
{Ed007's Note - The CL has killed European football, the money took over the prestige a long time ago. Sorry to keep going on about Celtic but there's supporters and posters on the site who couldn't care less if we are getting f***ed off Barca or Bayern as long as we're getting paid the big bucks for it - it's like a kind of warped prostitution for want of a better word.}
23 Aug 2016 01:10:58
Why would we want arsenal to leave the English leagues? I think it's anti-football, and I'd have to consider if I'd watch any matches again. More money for money's sake. Clubs and players even further from reality. I'd take losing to Wycombe in the third round of the cup to beating Real Madrid in a pointless league match any day. Isn't it bad enough with the premier league generating so much money it distorts the world market and kills off lower league clubs? The fans don't get a drop back on ticket price reductions as it is. It'll be a TV only sport, and that might aswell be the end as far as I'm concerned.
23 Aug 2016 03:48:46
The big question is where do we think we will finish and would there be relegation and promotion.
23 Aug 2016 05:25:06
And if we can't compete in the prem financially, how the heck would we in a euro league. Daunting, we will need thick skins.
23 Aug 2016 08:41:27
Fair point 007 :-)
23 Aug 2016 13:35:58
I had a read of 002's post you mentioned 007, a really interesting read, a tonne of stuff I had no idea about (nothing new there) cheers for the heads up!
{Ed007's Note - You're welcome mate (yes)