Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted his conscience remains clear regarding the financial rule breaches that occurred at Manchester City during his tenure as assistant coach.
Mikel Arteta says he has nothing to hide over Man City spell
Arteta Stands Firm: “My Conscience Is Clear” on Man City Charges
The Spaniard worked under Pep Guardiola from 2016 to 2019, a period overlapping with the nine seasons in which an independent commission found City disguised secret funding exceeding £830m.
During a tense press conference on Friday, Arteta faced persistent questioning about the damning verdict.
While he repeatedly refused to offer a detailed opinion on the ongoing appeal process, he provided a decisive answer when asked directly if his conscience was clear given his senior role at the club.
“Yes,” Arteta replied, offering a solitary but revealing response that cut through the usual diplomatic deflection.
Arteta, however, declined to elaborate on whether he had discussed the verdict with Guardiola. “I prefer not to answer those questions,” he stated.
He emphasized his commitment to respecting the legal timeline, noting that the process remains unresolved due to the club’s appeal.
“My position, and I think the club’s position, is not to make any further comments until this is fully resolved,” he added.
When pressed on whether the integrity of the Premier League requires a resolution this season, Arteta urged trust in the authorities.
“The people are responsible to manage this process… We have to trust that,” he said, adding he “100%” believes the league remains the best in the world.
Arteta now shifts his focus to domestic competition. Arsenal, currently sitting three points behind City, host fifth-placed Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
