Mikel Arteta previously assured that he saw no signs of wrongdoing at Manchester City before their guilty verdict. The eight-time Premier League champions were hit with 115 charges of breaching the league’s spending rules back in 2023.
Reports on Friday have suggested that City have been found guilty of 114 of those charges. A punishment is not yet forthcoming, albeit a significant fine, points deduction and even expulsion from the Premier League have all been mentioned.
Arteta's Time at the Etihad
The charges themselves relate to a period between 2009 and 2018. Current Arsenal boss Arteta was at the Etihad Stadium as an assistant to Pep Guardiola between July 2016 and December 2019.
Asked back in 2023 when the initial charges were brought forwards, Arteta was tight-lipped. Asked for his response, the Spaniard said: “I’m not going to make any comment on that I’m sorry.”
No Knowledge of Wrongdoing
Arteta was then probed if he had seen or had any knowledge of any wrong-doing during his time with the club. Arteta simply replied: “No.”
The Arsenal boss was then asked about the charges once more the following year but was once again cagey. He said: “That’s something for the authorities to manage. It’s not for us. If they’re playing that means they can play and they are entitled to play. That’s it.”
Arsenal's Title Challenge
Arteta eventually left Man City to return to Arsenal as he replaced Unai Emery. He has managed to get the club back on track and turned them into bonafide title challengers.
They went close to claiming the title in 2023, 2024 and 2025 but lost out to City on two occasions, while they were beaten to the punch by Liverpool in the latter of those seasons. Arsenal eventually got over the line last term as they finished seven points clear of City.
City's Response
From their perspective, City have already responded and claimed that the process relating to the charges is far from over. A club statement read: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023. The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”
