Arteta urges for ‘shared vision’

Premier League clubs have an obligation to protect those further down the football pyramid, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said on Thursday, the day after top-flight clubs voted against Project Big Picture.

"I think we have to protect the lower leagues as well, this is our obligation," Arteta told reporters ahead of his side's trip to his old club Manchester City on Saturday. "We want to produce grassroots and opportunities for everybody in this industry. I think it's fair to assess the situation and find the best possible way to achieve that. This is our responsibility as well."

Arteta said he believed unity was vital in decisions regarding a re-structuring of the Premier League.

"I think that's a massive strength so as much as we can, we can maintain that unity and sustain our way of doing things," Arteta said. "I think that's very valuable and the image that we project to the outside world is really, really strong.