Arsene Wenger has hit out at the controversial European Super League proposals threatening to rip football apart - and urged the sport to 'stay united'

The legendary Gunners boss predicted a breakaway European league involving only the tops clubs on the continent around 12 years ago and condemned the idea then.

Now, the plan had come to fruition as the Premier League's 'Big Six', along with the largest clubs in Italy and Spain, announced their intention to take part in the new competition in a bombshell move which had triggered a wave of condemnation and dismay.

"I would say that it's a bad idea," Wenger told talkSPORT. "Football has to stay united. That is the most important thing and based on sporting merits and overall to respect the history of European football.

"I believe personally that this idea will not go far."

Legendary coach Wenger, 71, was memorably in charge of Arsenal, who are one of the first 12 clubs to join the Super League, between 1996 and 2018.