Mikel Arteta joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2019, having spent three and a half years as assistant manager under Pep Guardiola between 2016 and 2019. That period overlapped significantly with nine seasons during which Manchester City has been found to have breached Premier League financial rules and concealed more than £830m in funding through undisclosed arrangements.
At his first news conference following the independent commission's ruling—which City has appealed—the Arsenal manager faced sustained questioning about his time at the club during the period covered by the investigation. When directly asked whether his conscience remained clear given his senior position at City during those years, Arteta delivered a single-word response: "Yes."
This proved to be the most unguarded moment of more than half an hour of questioning. It marked the only instance in which Arteta departed from his carefully prepared messaging about respecting the ongoing appeal process and declining to offer commentary until a final resolution emerges.
The independent commission's investigation found City guilty of all charges relating to serious financial-rule breaches and of the majority of charges concerning failure to cooperate with the Premier League investigation. According to reporting on the commission's findings, the club overstated revenues by £855.2m and understated expenses by £66.2m. The commission also determined that City had arranged "sham contracts" with numerous commercial partners to disguise earnings.
What was Arteta's response to the ruling?
Arteta declined to offer a direct reaction to the damning independent commission report. Instead, he emphasised the importance of allowing the process to continue unimpeded.
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 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.
When pressed on whether the appeal and any resulting sanctions needed to be resolved within the current season to preserve the integrity of the Premier League, Arteta offered a measured response.
The people are responsible to manage this process and to come to the right conclusions and I'm sure it will be done and it will be resolved in the right way. We have to trust that.
Asked whether he had discussed the matter with Guardiola, Arteta declined to engage.
I prefer not to answer those questions.
Throughout the conference, Arteta remained composed but visibly adhered to a predetermined strategy of deflecting substantive commentary. He was neither confrontational nor expansive, arriving at Arsenal's training ground with clear boundaries around what he would and would not discuss.
How has Arteta's position evolved since the ruling?
In subsequent remarks on October 9, Arteta reiterated his commitment to the process while offering stronger language about his relationship with City. He stated that he trusted Manchester City "now, in the future, always" and "completely," according to his later comments, while maintaining that he would not provide further commentary until the appeal is resolved.
What is the timeline for City's appeal?
Manchester City lodged its formal appeal at 7pm on October 1, according to official filings. The club's submission argued that the commission's opinion contained "clear material errors, of law, principle and fact" and was "unsafe."
The appeal hearing must conclude within 12 weeks of the October 1 filing—by December 24, 2026—with a decision due within 30 days after the hearing concludes. The Premier League has indicated that City's sanctions will be considered at a separate hearing, though no date has been announced for that proceeding.
What is the broader context of the charges?
The Premier League initiated charges against City with more than 100 alleged breaches in February 2023, following a four-year investigation into the club's financial practices. The independent commission's findings represent the conclusion of that lengthy inquiry, though the appeal process now extends the resolution timeline considerably.
Arteta also stated he "100%" believed the Premier League remains the best league in the world, despite the charges and their implications for competitive integrity.
What is Arsenal's current position?
Arsenal, who sit three points behind league leaders City, faced fifth-placed Leeds on Saturday at Emirates Stadium. The timing of the ruling and appeal process coincides with a critical phase of the season, with both clubs competing for domestic honours while the financial investigation continues in the background.
Key Facts:
- Manchester City has been found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules over nine seasons, with concealed funding exceeding £830m
- The independent commission determined City overstated revenues by £855.2m and understated expenses by £66.2m through sham commercial contracts
- City's appeal must be resolved by December 24, 2026, with sanctions to be determined in a separate hearing
- Arteta was assistant manager at City from 2016 to 2019, a period covered by the investigation
- The Premier League originally charged City in February 2023 following a four-year investigation
