What Mikel Arteta said about Manchester City’s 115 charges during his time at Arsenal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has previously insisted he saw no signs of wrongdoing during his three years at Manchester City, while repeatedly declining to comment on the Premier League’s case against his former club.

Mikel Arteta’s past comments on Manchester City’s 115 charges have resurfaced following reports claiming the Premier League champions were found guilty of all but one of the charges brought against them.

Arteta spent three years as Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager at City between 2016 and 2019 before leaving to take charge of Arsenal in December 2019.

The Premier League confirmed the charges against City in 2023, with the alleged breaches relating to a period between 2009 and 2018. The club now faces a wait to discover any potential punishment, subject to the ongoing process and any appeal. Possible sanctions have been reported to range from a points deduction to expulsion from the Premier League.

When Arteta was first asked about the charges in 2023, he refused to offer his assessment.

“I’m not going to make any comment on that I’m sorry,” Arteta said, as quoted by Football.London.

The Arsenal manager was then asked directly whether he had any knowledge of potential wrongdoing during his time working alongside Guardiola.

“No.”

Arteta was questioned about the matter again a year later, but once more made clear that he considered it a matter for the relevant authorities rather than something for him to address publicly.

“That’s something for the authorities to manage. It’s not for us,” the Arsenal boss said.

“If they’re playing that means they can play and they are entitled to play. That’s it.”

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Arteta’s comments have gained renewed attention following reports concerning the outcome of the Premier League’s case. However, Manchester City have stressed that the process is not complete.

The club issued a statement saying:

“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.

“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

For Arteta, his public position has remained consistent. Despite his close involvement with City before moving to Arsenal, he has declined to comment on the case and insists it should be handled by the relevant authorities.