Mikel Arteta questioned Manchester City’s breach of the Premier League’s financial rules ahead of the Arsenal-Leeds match.
Mikel Arteta insists he has a clean conscience after an independent commission found former club Manchester City guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
The Spaniard was then assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium for three-and-a-half years before taking up his first managerial role with the Gunners in December 2019.
City have clamored for two Premier League titles and a domestic Treble during Arteta’s time at the club, but he refused to be drawn into the saga at his press conference ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime clash with Leeds United.
Other senior executives, such as Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris and Nottingham Forest’s Oliver Glasner, have publicly stepped up pressure on decision-makers to resolve the case, fearing it would undermine the integrity of the Premier League.
Asked if his conscience was clear about his time with City, Arteta replied emphatically: “Yes.”
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The 44-year-old, fresh from signing a new long-term deal at the Emirates this week, also answered a number of other City-related questions, although he instead expressed his desire to continue to focus on the job at Arsenal as the north London side look to retain their Premier League crown.
The Gunners are one of four clubs, along with Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, who reserve the right to take legal action for potential damages, which could further complicate the process. The city formally applied last week.
Asked the first question about the allegations, Arteta explained: “Yes, I fully understand the question, but obviously I think it’s very important that we respect the process, the timelines, and it’s still an ongoing process because a complaint has been made. My position, and I think the club’s position, is not to make any further comments until this is fully resolved.”
When he was later pressed again on the decision of the independent commission, he continued: “This has been going on for several years and the process is still not concluded. So it is very difficult to express my feelings because it has not been resolved. When it is resolved, I can speak clearly and express my feelings clearly.
“I think we’re on the accelerator and believe me, for seven years we’ve been full throttle in everything we can do and take every corner at maximum speed, but we understand our strength and what we can do.
“It’s something that’s out of our hands. The way we make it is in our hands. That’s where the focus is.”
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