Arteta Remains Tight-Lipped on Man City Verdict, States Clear Conscience

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated on Friday that his conscience is clear regarding Manchester City's guilty verdict on 114 Premier League charges. City was found to have committed breaches of financial rules spanning from 2009 to 2018, including the use of 'sham' contracts and agreements that allegedly inflated revenue by around £900 million.

Arteta, who previously served as an assistant coach at Manchester City for three-and-a-half years from 2016 to 2019, was part of the staff during the initial seasons under investigation. He remained guarded when questioned about the implications of the verdict for English football and declined to confirm if he had spoken with Pep Guardiola, City's manager during that period, since the ruling.

"This has been going on for various years," Arteta said. "That process is still not finished. So it is very difficult to express how I feel because it is not resolved. When it is resolved I can talk with clarity and tell you exactly how I feel."

He added, "That process has to be resolved and we need to trust that the people in charge will do it in the timeframe that they believe is the best for everybody."

When asked if the ongoing situation had impacted the Premier League's global standing, Arteta expressed hope that it had not. "I want to think that it doesn't, but I don't know," he stated. "Uncertainty is not in our control and our control is to bring everything that we can individually through the club to maintain the position that we have to be the best league in the world."

Arteta affirmed his belief that the Premier League remains the best in the world, responding with "One hundred per cent" when asked directly.

Mansouri's Arsenal was found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges by an independent commission last week. The club is appealing the decision.