Mikel Arteta reacts to Man City verdict: ‘I completely trust the club’

Mikel Arteta has given his backing to Manchester City after being found guilty of breaching Premier League rules.

It was announced over the international break that an independent commission deemed Man City guilty of 114 financial rule breaches, with the club using “sham” contracts and disguised funding that amounted to more than £900m over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.

City continue to plead their innocence and have launched an appeal against the verdict, with manager Enzo Maresca stating his full trust in the owners and insisting the club will clear their name by winning the appeal process.

Arteta worked as Pep Guardiola‘s assistant coach at City between 2016 and 2019, and was part of the coaching staff that oversaw two Premier League titles during that time. The first of these triumphs came in 2017/18, at the tail-end the period of breaches.

Mikel Arteta worked in Manchester City’s coaching staff between 2016 and 2019 (Getty)

And the Spaniard has now thrown his support behind his former bosses by stating that he has full trust of the club.

“I trust the club now, in the future, always. I completely trust the club,” he said.

“Fully understand the question, but I will respect the process, I think the timelines, it is still an ongoing process that is not resolved because it has been appealed.

“My position and the club’s position is not to make any further comment until it is resolved.”

City CEO Ferran Sorriano branded the verdict as a “Premier League conspiracy theory” in a leaked video message to club staff with the club remaining defiant against claims of wrongdoing.

Asked if the verdict with inspire current league leaders City in their title push, Arteta replied: “I don’t know, it’s something that’s not in our hands, we’re preparing to play Leeds and be in the best condition and that’s what we’ll do tomorrow.”

Arteta will manage his first match since penning a contract extension with the Gunners until 2030 earlier this week, hosting Leeds in Saturday’s early kick-off.

“My family are very grateful to be able to enjoy this unbelievable right to continue,” he said. “I said from the beginning that me and the club wanted the same thing, but I loved the way it was handled.

“I think it is really important. I always said that when you’re negotiating and trying to figure out the future, the most important thing is at the end when you’re about to sign the deal and looking at everyone in the room and seeing so many smiley faces and excitement in their eyes.”