Arteta says his conscience is clear over Manchester City ruling

WHAT HAPPENED
Mikel Arteta told reporters his conscience is clear over the independent commission's ruling on Manchester City but declined to give further comment while the case is being appealed. The Arsenal manager gave only a single-word answer when directly asked about his conscience and later said he preferred not to answer whether he had spoken to Pep Guardiola.

CONTEXT
Arteta worked as an assistant to Guardiola at Manchester City between 2016 and 2019. The commission found that City had broken rules across nine seasons and had disguised more than £830m in funding, including arranging what it called "sham contracts" with commercial partners. The club has appealed the ruling.

ARTETA'S RESPONSE
Across a news conference held after the ruling, Arteta repeatedly stressed the need to "respect the process" and the ongoing timelines. He said: "My position, and I think the club's position, is not to make any further comments until this is fully resolved." When asked whether the appeal and sanction needed to be resolved this season, he replied: "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." He also said he "100%" believed the Premier League remains the best in the world.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Manchester City has lodged an appeal against the independent commission's findings. Arteta and his club have said they will not comment further until that process is complete.

ADDITIONAL NOTE
Arsenal sit three points behind league leaders Manchester City and face Leeds at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.