Mikel Arteta has insisted his conscience is clear over the Manchester City case. The Arsenal boss was asked directly whether he felt any unease given his senior role at the Etihad during part of the period covered by the Premier League's findings.
Arteta served as Pep Guardiola's assistant for three-and-a-half years before taking over as Arsenal manager in December 2019. City were found guilty of breaching Premier League spending rules from 2009 to 2018, which covers two of the three-and-a-half years Arteta was at the club. City won two Premier League titles and a domestic Treble during his time there.
One-word response
When asked whether his conscience was clear, Arteta simply replied: "Yes." He had largely refused to answer questions on the City case, even though many of his managerial rivals have spoken out on the issue.
City have launched an appeal after being found guilty by the Premier League of making "sham" deals and insist they will prove their innocence of all 115 charges.
Appeal and legal action
Four clubs - Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham - have reserved the right to take further legal action for damages. There are major fears the appeal will last longer than this season.
Arteta insists he will not discuss the case further, other than to say Arsenal are determined to focus on themselves and ensure they are successful.
Arteta's stance
Arteta added: "I think it's very important that we respect the process, the timelines, and it's still an ongoing process that is not resolved because it's been appealed. My position, and I think the club's position, is not to make any further comments until this is fully resolved.
"This has been going on for various years. 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.
"I think we control our accelerator, and believe me, for seven years, it's been full gas in everything that we can do, and take every corner at max speed, but understanding what our strength and the things that we can do.
"This is something that's not in our hands. In our hands is the way we have prepared. That's where the focus has been."
