Premier League38 min ago2 minute read

Arteta Backs Premier League Status Amid Man City Financial Verdict

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists the Premier League remains the world's best despite Manchester City's recent financial breach verdict.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

Arteta defends the league

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists that the Premier League remains the best league in the world. His comments come after Manchester City were found guilty of breaching financial rules. City are appealing the decision, which found they broke 114 rules between 2009 and 2018. They could face punishments ranging from a fine to being kicked out of the league.

Arteta worked under Pep Guardiola at City for three years before taking the Arsenal job. He recently signed a new four-year contract, making him the longest-serving manager in the division after Guardiola left at the end of last season.

Staying quiet on City

During a press conference, Arteta avoided speaking directly about the verdict. When asked if the league's reputation is damaged, he said that the process is still ongoing and not yet resolved. He added that he is not prepared to make comments until there is a clear outcome.

Arteta also declined to say if his own memories of winning two titles as a City coach were ruined. He stated that there is a lot of noise around the situation but people must respect the ongoing process. Instead, he praised the competition in the league. He pointed out how well clubs like Brentford, Brighton, and Leeds United manage their resources.

Team news ahead of the match

Arsenal have several fitness concerns ahead of their next game. Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa will face late fitness checks after picking up injuries on international duty. Christos Tzolis is ruled out for a few weeks with a muscle injury.

Arteta is hopeful that Declan Rice will be fit to play. Rice missed the recent England matches due to load management. On a positive note, Piero Hincapié, Cristhian Mosquera, and Ben White are all available for selection.

What it means for the next game

Arsenal vs Leeds United (Premier League, Sat, 10 Oct): Arsenal win 66%, draw 22%, Leeds United win 12%; expected goals 1.97 to 0.72. Our safest pick: Arsenal or Draw.

Arsenal vs Lille (Champions League, Tue, 13 Oct): Arsenal win 68%, draw 21%, Lille win 11%; expected goals 2.04 to 0.70. Our safest pick: Arsenal draw no bet.