Mikel Arteta steadfastly batted away questions regarding the Premier League’s investigation into Manchester City.
The Arsenal boss spent four years as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at the Etihad, making up a portion of the time City are alleged to have breached the league’s financial rules. Earlier this week, the reigning champions were charged with more than 100 alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018.
City have strongly denied the charges and claimed they welcome the investigation to put the alleged discrepancies to rest once and for all. A long and arduous legal battle is now expected before any punishments and sanctions - which range from fines, to points deductions and expulsions - are handed out.
But Arteta, whose Arsenal side are going head-to-head with City for this season’s Premier League title, refused to be drawn on any of the recent accusations. “Not making any comment on that, I’m sorry,” he said to the opening line of questioning.
Asked if he’d ever seen anything untoward during his time at the Etihad, he added: “I can’t respond to that question, because I’d be responding to the previous question and I don’t want to do that.”
Pressed for a third time on whether during his time at the club, he had ever seen anything to suggest the charges may be accurate, he laughed and said: “No.”
Arteta is set to be reunited with his old boss next week when the Gunners take on City in what could prove to be a pivotal night in the title race. But before that, Arsenal will need to take care of business against Brentford, having lost last time out at Everton.
And the Spaniard is insistent that his players aren’t looking beyond Thomas Frank’s surprise package, with their full focus on beating the Bees.
He added: “Our only focus is on Brentford tomorrow and all the preparation is about that. Let’s go into tomorrow’s game with the right mindset because we’ll have to be really, really good to beat them.”
Arsenal go into this weekend’s fixtures with a five-point buffer over City having played one game fewer. However, regardless of their lofty position, some believe the holders’ added experience in close races could yet end up being the difference.
But the Arsenal boss said his infectious attitude is helping his young dressing room cope with the inherent pressures of winning a first top-flight title since 2004.
“I am an energy-giver, I don’t like energy-suckers,” Arteta explained. “I like people who give energy in many different ways. Sometimes it’s his body language, sometimes it’s his voice, hugging people, looking for solutions and not excuses. Energy, a lot of energy.”
Arsenal will be without long-term absentees Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson against Brentford. Jesus has been out since before the World Cup, but is now pushing for a return, according to his manager.
"The ones that were long time like Emile, Reiss and Gabi they are closer. They started to do some work outside but they are not ready to contribute yet.
“Gabi is doing really well, he’s already been outside a little bit. It’s still early stages, he keeps pushing everybody every single day, but we need to respect timelines and processes. He’s doing really well.”
