Mikel Arteta told reporters at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground that his conscience is clear after Manchester City were found guilty of breaching more than 100 Premier League financial rules. The former City assistant, who joined Arsenal in 2019, said he would wait until the independent commission’s investigation was finished before commenting further on the case.
The commission’s findings, released two weeks ago, confirm that City violated a range of regulations between 2009 and 2018. City’s current manager, Enzo Maresca, has defended the club’s success, insisting that the sanctions do not tarnish their achievements. City has already filed an appeal, and the Premier League is still working through the details of the punishment. Arteta, who was a senior figure at the Etihad for three years, acknowledged that the process is long and unresolved. “When it is resolved I can talk with clarity,” he said, adding that he trusts the authorities to finish the work in a timely manner.
When asked whether the Premier League’s reputation had been damaged by the verdict, Arteta reiterated his confidence in the competition. “The league is still the best in the world,” he said. He also declined to answer questions about whether he had spoken to Pep Guardiola since the verdict, and he said he had no regrets about his time at City, although he noted the “noise” surrounding the situation.
Arteta’s comments come as Arsenal look to regain momentum after a 3‑0 defeat to Brighton before the international break. He signed a new four‑year contract earlier this week, extending his stay until 2030. “The pain is still in the tummy,” he said, referring to the recent loss, and he stressed that the team must play through it in the upcoming match against Leeds at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
With Manchester City winning all five of their matches so far, Arsenal see the Red Devils as their nearest rivals for the title. Arteta said he could not predict whether City’s sanctions would give Arsenal an advantage. “What we think about is us, what we do and what we want to achieve,” he said. “The rest is something that we don’t control.” The Premier League will continue to monitor the appeal process, and Arsenal will focus on their next fixture as they aim to climb the table.