Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has urged football to be united amid the Super League breakaway.

The Premier League '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 triggered a wave of condemnation and dismay on Sunday.

"I would say that's a bad idea," Wenger told talkSPORT. "Football has to stay united, it's the most important thing.

"It's based on sporting merit and overall to respect the history that has been built from European football."

Despite initially predicting the formation of a new tournament, similar in concept to the new Super League, back in 2009, Wenger believes the idea "will not go far".

He added: "I don't know what exactly is behind (it). There is a more dangerous idea behind it and it's a big threat for the Premier League.

"When I was still in charge it was a lot going on from other countries to diminish the dominance of the Premier League and a project like that would certainly accelerate that."