Arteta: My Conscience Is Clear Over Man City Charges

Mikel Arteta has declared his conscience is clear over Manchester City's Premier League rule breaches during his time as assistant manager. The Arsenal boss faced more than half an hour of questioning at his pre-match news conference, but consistently refused to be drawn on the ongoing process.

  • Fixture: Arsenal vs Leeds, Saturday, Emirates Stadium, Premier League
  • League position: Arsenal sit three points behind leaders Manchester City; Leeds are fifth
  • Key quote: "Yes" — Arteta on whether his conscience is clear
  • City breaches: Nine seasons, disguised secret funding of more than £830m, sham contracts
  • Status: Manchester City have appealed the independent commission's ruling

What was said

"Yes"

— Mikel Arteta, when asked if his conscience was clear over his three and a half years at Manchester City

"I prefer not to answer those questions."

— Arteta, when asked if he had spoken to Pep Guardiola

"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."

— Arteta, on the independent commission's damning report

"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."

— Arteta, when asked if the appeal and sanction needed to be resolved this season to preserve the Premier League's integrity

"100%"

— Arteta, on whether he believes the Premier League remains the best in the world

The headline moment was the single-word answer. After more than half an hour of batting away questions with a carefully rehearsed message about respecting the process, Arteta finally broke from his script when asked directly about his own role. He was not combative, but he arrived at Arsenal's training ground with a response he was determined to stick to.

The timing of the question — three and a half years into a senior position at City, during a period overlapping with nine seasons of rule breaches and disguised funding exceeding £830m — makes his refusal to elaborate significant. The independent commission found City had arranged "sham contracts" with a number of commercial partners to disguise earnings. Arteta's only deviation from his messaging was that one word: "Yes".

The numbers

  • Nine seasons: The period during which Manchester City have been found to have broken rules
  • £830m+: The amount of disguised secret funding arranged through sham contracts
  • Three and a half years: Arteta's tenure as assistant manager at Manchester City (2016–2019)
  • Three points: Arsenal's gap to league leaders Manchester City
  • Half an hour+: Length of Arteta's pre-match questioning

Why Arteta walked the tightrope

Mikel Arteta knows exactly what is at stake. As Arsenal manager, his first loyalty is to the club currently chasing Manchester City at the top of the table. But his history at City — working under Pep Guardiola during a period now under the microscope — means every word carries weight. He chose the safest path: respect the process, refuse to comment, and when pressed on his own conscience, answer directly and briefly.

The one-word "Yes" was arguably the most revealing part of the entire interaction. It was the only occasion where the Spaniard did not revert to his messaging. That tells you he had prepared for the question and decided that denying any personal concern was the only viable answer. Anything else would have invited further scrutiny, either of himself or of City.

His refusal to answer whether he had spoken to Guardiola is equally telling. It may simply be a private matter, but it also prevents any headline suggesting collusion or coordination. Arteta understands that in a story this sensitive, silence on certain details is protection — both for himself and for the relationships he maintains in the game.

On the pitch, his focus must be on Leeds. Arsenal cannot afford to drop points with City three points clear. Arteta will need his players to block out the noise and deliver at the Emirates. The manager's ability to compartmentalise this week's off-field questions and Saturday's on-field demands will be tested.

Talking points

  • Should Arteta have said more given his senior role at City during the breach period, or was his one-word answer the only sensible response?
  • Does the fact City have appealed mean the integrity of this season's title race is compromised if the process drags beyond May?
  • Arteta says he "100%" believes the Premier League is the best in the world — but can that hold if the champions are found to have cheated?
  • His refusal to say whether he has spoken to Guardiola will fuel speculation. Is silence the right strategy, or does it invite more questions?

What happens next

Arsenal face Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. With Manchester City three points clear at the top, Arteta's side cannot afford any slip-up. The appeal against the independent commission's ruling remains ongoing, and no further comments will come from Arsenal until it is fully resolved.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mikel Arteta's conscience clear over Man City charges?

Yes. Arteta answered "Yes" when asked directly if his conscience was clear over his three and a half years as assistant manager at Manchester City.

Has Arteta spoken to Pep Guardiola about the charges?

Arteta said: "I prefer not to answer those questions." He did not confirm or deny any conversation with the Manchester City manager.

What did Arteta say about the independent commission's report?

He said he "fully understands" the question but stressed the importance of respecting the process: "It's still an ongoing process that is not resolved because it's been appealed."

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