Mueez Ajao
– Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to win the Premier League title on the pitch rather than rely on any fallout from the charges against rivals Manchester City.
– A four-year Premier League investigation concluded on Monday with City accused of breaching Financial Fair Play rules over 100 times between 2009 and 2018.
– City also allegedly failed to co-operate with the investigation and if found guilty, the English champions face a range of possible sanctions including a fine, points deduction or even expulsion from the league.
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– Pep Guardiola’s side deny the charges but should they be proved, City could face a fresh blow in their attempts to win a fifth league title in six seasons given they are already five points behind Arsenal having played a game more.
– Any points deduction would leave Arsenal overwhelming favourites to finish on top, but Arteta told a news conference on Friday: “Let’s focus on what we have to do and win enough football matches for that to happen. We have to earn the right to win it [the title], that’s for sure.”
– Arteta avoided commenting on City’s charges directly despite spending three years as a coach under Guardiola between 2016 and 2019, winning two league titles.
– a”I’m not going to make any comment on that I’m sorry,” he said.
– Pushed on whether he found it difficult to stay quiet given City’s status as Arsenal’s closest challengers, Arteta said: “We have enough to look after our own garden.”
