Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta spent three-and-a-half years at the Etihad Stadium before his switch back to North London and has now spoken out on Man City's legal battle with the Premier League
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has spoken out on the Manchester City case(Image: Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta insists his conscience is clear over the Manchester City case. Arteta was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at the Etihad for three-and-a-half years before taking over as Arsenal manager in December 2019.
City have been 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 Etihad. City won two Premier League titles and a domestic Treble during Arteta’s time at the club.
Arteta largely refused to answer questions on the City case even though many of his managerial rivals have spoken out on the issue. But when asked whether his conscience was clear as he held a senior position at City, Arteta simply replied: “Yes.”
City have now 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.
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 that he will not discuss the case further other than to say Arsenal are determined to focus on themselves and ensure they are successful.
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.
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta spent three years with Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)
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“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.”