Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has previously insisted that he witnessed no evidence of misconduct during his spell at Manchester City. The East Manchester side have been found guilty of all-but-one of the 115 charges levelled at the club by the Premier League.
Arteta served as Pep Guardiola's assistant manager at City for three years between 2016 and 2019, before taking the reins at Arsenal in December of that year. The Premier League confirmed the charges against City in 2023, with the violations spanning 2009 to 2018.
City Await Sanction
City now await confirmation of their sanction which could stretch from a points penalty through to expulsion from the Premier League. The club vehemently denies any wrongdoing and are likely to appeal.
Arteta faced questions about the charges against City when the story first broke in 2023. The Arsenal manager, however, remained tight-lipped with his response.
Arteta's Guarded Replies
"I'm not going to make any comment on that I'm sorry," Arteta said. The Spaniard was then pressed on whether he had any awareness of potential wrongdoing at City while serving as Guardiola's assistant, to which he promptly answered: "No."
Arteta was questioned 12 months later about the charges that had been filed against City, and delivered another guarded reply. "That's something for the authorities to manage. It's not for us," the Arsenal boss said. "If they're playing that means they can play and they are entitled to play. That's it."
Club Statement on Verdict
Amid the news that City have been found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial regulations, the club released a statement asserting that the case is far from concluded.
A statement from City 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."
