Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reaffirmed his belief that the Premier League remains the strongest competition in world football, even as uncertainty lingers over the outcome of Manchester City's financial misconduct case.
Speaking to reporters, Arteta was asked directly whether he still regarded the English top flight as the best in the world. His response left no room for ambiguity: "100%."
When pushed further on the significance of financial regulations within the league, the Spaniard elaborated on his admiration for the competition, citing his own lengthy experience in English football. "It is the best league in the world in my opinion, yes, for many reasons and as well because I've been here for over 20 years and it will continue to be the best league in the world," he said. He added that he considers himself fortunate to be involved in such an environment, and praised the way certain clubs have managed their resources effectively, suggesting this has only sharpened competition at the top of the table.
Arteta's comments come against the backdrop of a guilty verdict against Manchester City, a club with which he shares deep personal history. Before taking the reins at Arsenal, he spent three seasons on Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at the Etihad Stadium between 2016 and 2019. Prior to that, as an Arsenal player, he faced City during the very period in which the club has now been found to have committed financial breaches. Since becoming a manager, Arteta has also been one of City's fiercest rivals in the race for the Premier League title over the last four campaigns.
Despite this close connection to the situation, Arteta was careful not to be drawn into detailed commentary on the specifics of the case or its implications for the title race, noting that the matter remains unresolved as it is currently under appeal. "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," he explained. He went on to stress that both he and the club have adopted a policy of restraint, stating, "My position, and I think the club's position, is not to make any further comments until this is fully resolved."
The Arsenal boss also dismissed suggestions that the unresolved case had become a point of discussion within his squad since their return from the recent international break. "There is nothing in our hands," he said, emphasizing that his focus remains solely on matters his team can control. "The only thing that we can do is focus on everything that we can do to be as we possibly can and to be better than any other opponent and that's where we put the energy."
When questioned about whether the competition's credibility might be undermined should a definitive ruling fail to materialize before the season concludes, Arteta expressed confidence in the authorities overseeing the process. "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," he said, adding, "We have to trust that."
With the legal proceedings still ongoing and no clear timetable for a final decision, questions over how the case might eventually affect the title race remain unanswered for now. Arteta, however, appears determined to keep his focus purely on performance as Arsenal continue their pursuit of silverware this season.
Based on reporting from standard-football.