Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has stated that he holds a clear conscience regarding the financial regulations breached by Manchester City during his tenure as assistant coach at the Etihad Stadium. Arteta spent three and a half years working alongside Pep Guardiola between 2016 and 2019, a timeframe that falls within the period when Manchester City allegedly masked more than £830 million in hidden financial backing.

During a recent media briefing, the Spanish coach faced extensive questioning regarding the independent commission's findings, which alleged the club utilized deceptive commercial agreements to inflate revenue streams. Throughout the session, Arteta repeatedly emphasized his intention to respect the ongoing legal and administrative procedures while the club pursues an appeal.

When pressed directly on whether his senior position during those years weighed on his mind, Arteta offered a concise and definitive reply, confirming that his conscience remained entirely clear. Aside from that brief response, he largely maintained a disciplined approach, declining to offer deeper opinions until the regulatory matter reaches a final conclusion.

Arteta also chose not to disclose whether he had reached out to his former colleague Guardiola in the wake of the disciplinary report. When questioned about the potential impact on the Premier League's competitive fairness and whether the appeal process should conclude within the current campaign, he expressed confidence in the governing authorities to handle the situation appropriately.

Despite the ongoing off-field controversy surrounding his former employers, the Arsenal manager affirmed his complete faith in the Premier League, describing it without hesitation as the premier domestic competition globally. He also reiterated that neither he nor Arsenal would issue further public statements until the disciplinary proceedings are fully settled.

Attention now turns back to domestic competition as Arsenal prepares to host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The Gunners currently trail league leaders Manchester City by three points in the standings, keeping the title race tightly contested as both clubs navigate the season ahead.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.