Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has “complete trust” in Manchester City and echoed Enzo Maresca’s view that the club’s previous achievements should not be not tainted despite the fact they have been found guilty of financial doping.
Arteta worked under Pep Guardiola between 2016 and 2019 before landing the top job at the Emirates. During their time together, and in the period in which the cheating was committed, City won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and two EFL Cups.
City have appealed the Independent Commission’s verdict and continue to deny any wrongdoing and Arteta was giving little away when asked about the issue prior to Saturday’s home game with Leeds.
He said: “I trust the club now, in the future, always. I completely trust the club.
“Fully understand the question, but I will respect the process. 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.”
Rice, Konsa and Havertz doubts for Arsenal’s game with Leeds
Of more pressing concern to Arteta is an injury list that threatens to deprive him of several key players for the lunchtime clash with Daniel Farke’s men.
Winger Christos Tzolis is definitely out and Arteta said he would have to wait and see whether Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Kai Havertz would be available.
“We have to manage him [Rice] because he’s had a few issues since he came back from the World Cup,” he added. “Hopefully tomorrow he’s available and some others also are in doubt.
“With Kai he had a muscular injury. I spoke to Germany and they sent the player back as normal, Ezri we had good communication with the England camp.
“Tzolis has a muscle injury as he’s going to be out for a few weeks.”
Arteta delighted with new Arsenal deal
Although Arteta must have stewed on Arsenal’s last result during the international break, a 3-0 hammering at Brighton, he did reveal some good news this week with the signing of a new, four-year deal that will make him the highest-paid manager in the Premier League.
He said: “My family are very grateful to be able to enjoy this unbelievable right to continue. 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.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
