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Mikel Arteta: 'Arsenal owners have made commitment very clear'

Mikel Arteta: 'Arsenal owners have made commitment very clear'
© Reuters
Spotify founder Daniel Ek last week tweeted saying he would be interested in throwing his hat in the ring to take over the north London club.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is hopeful a strong statement from the club's owners will end speculation surrounding a potential takeover bid from Spotify founder Daniel Ek.

Swedish billionaire Ek last week sent a tweet saying he would be interested in purchasing the Premier League club, which is owned by Stan Kroenke through his Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (KSE) business.

But any potential deal looks to have been scuppered following a staunch response from the Gunners' American ownership, who say they have not received any bids.

"In recent days we have noted media speculation regarding a potential takeover bid for Arsenal Football Club," read a KSE statement.

"We remain 100 per cent committed to Arsenal *and are not selling* any stake in the club."

Speaking ahead of Arsenal's Europa League semi-final first-leg tie against Villarreal, Arteta was pleased with the response.

"It closes a lot of the speculation regarding what could happen because they moved straight away and made very clear lines of their understanding and what they want to do with the football club," he said.

"We spoke to them and I think it was very clear. They have shown their commitment and ambition to the football club because we all want a successful team on the pitch. It was very clear and took any doubt out of the situation."

Asked if the takeover talk, coupled with fan protests against Kroenke ahead of Friday's Premier League defeat to Everton, could cause a distraction ahead of their last-four tie, Arteta replied: "A lot of talks and a lot of speculation has been surrounding the situation the last week or so.

Czech Republic Soccer Europa League
Arteta's Gunners reached the Europa League last four with a quarter-final victory over Slavia Prague (Petr David Josek/AP)

"Our fans raised their voices during the match against Everton, but now we have a clear and committed statement from the ownership, so I think that is gone when they said what they did (on Tuesday night).

"I cannot control the speculation and what is going on.

"What I like to know and talk about is the reality and the reality is that we have owners who are really, really committed and want a successful team on the pitch and are going to do everything on the pitch to achieve that."

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Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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