“Yes,” the Arsenal manager replied when asked whether his conscience remained clear despite working as Pep Guardiola's assistant during part of the period under investigation.
Arteta spent three-and-a-half years at City between 2016 and 2019, including two seasons covered by the Premier League's financial investigation. An independent commission found Manchester City guilty of 114 of 115 charges, and the club has appealed the ruling.
“This has been going on for various years,” Arteta said. “That process is still not finished. So it is very difficult to express how I feel because it is not resolved. When it is resolved I can talk with clarity and tell you exactly how I feel.
“That process has to be resolved and we need to trust that the people in charge will do it in the timeframe that they believe is the best for everybody.”
The Arsenal boss was reluctant to go further when questioned about the case, including whether he had spoken to Guardiola since the verdict. City deny wrongdoing and are challenging the commission's findings.
Arteta was also asked whether the scandal could damage the Premier League's reputation around the world.
“I want to think that it doesn't, but I don't know,” he said. “Uncertainty is not in our control and our control is to bring everything that we can individually through the club to maintain the position that we have to be the best league in the world.”
Asked whether he still considered the Premier League the best in the world, Arteta was unequivocal.
“One hundred per cent.”
The manager's comments came after he signed a new contract with Arsenal, extending his commitment to the club as they prepare to resume their league campaign against Leeds United.
Arteta's response on City remained measured, with the Spaniard repeatedly returning to the need for the legal process to run its course. He declined to offer a detailed assessment while the appeal remains unresolved, saying he would be able to speak with greater clarity once the process is complete.
For now, his public position is that he has a clear conscience about his time at City, while leaving his broader thoughts on the case until the final outcome is known.