Arteta Refuses to Comment on Man City Verdict as Appeals Loom

Mikel Arteta has declined to judge the impact of Manchester City’s financial-regulation verdict while insisting the Premier League remains the world’s leading domestic competition. The Arsenal manager said the case must complete its appeal process before he offers a fuller view.

What changed for the club

City have been found guilty by an Independent Commission of 114 breaches connected to a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018. The club are contesting that decision, with potential punishment understood to range from a financial penalty to removal from the Premier League if the appeal does not succeed.

Arteta was repeatedly asked about the ruling but would not be drawn into discussion of the findings or possible consequences. He maintained that the matter remains unresolved and said it would be inappropriate to give a final assessment before the process has concluded.

Asked directly whether the Premier League was still the best league in the world, Arteta replied: “100%.” He added that his more than two decades in English football had reinforced that belief.

The Arsenal manager pointed to clubs such as Brentford, Brighton and Leeds as examples of teams using their resources effectively to raise standards across the division. Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton a few weeks ago, he said, underlined the level of competition.

Arteta worked on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City staff for three years, winning two league titles, before taking his first managerial post at Arsenal. He guided Arsenal to the title in May, ending the club’s 22-year wait for the championship. When asked if the verdict affected his recollections of City’s title-winning campaigns, he again stressed the need to respect an appeal that is still in progress.

Competition context

City’s appeal means no final sanction has yet been applied, leaving the wider consequences for the league uncertain. Arteta’s position was that judgment on any reputational damage should wait until the legal and regulatory process has reached its end.

His broader defence of the Premier League centred on its competitive depth rather than the case involving City. Arteta said the progress of well-run clubs outside the traditional leading group had made the division stronger.

What is scheduled next

Arsenal are preparing to face Leeds, with several squad updates to monitor before the match.

• Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa will undergo late fitness assessments after suffering issues during international duty.
• Christos Tzolis is expected to miss a few weeks with a muscle injury.
• Piero Hincapié, Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White are available for the Leeds fixture.