How Manchester City's financial breaches could actually affect Arsenal

Friday afternoon brought the breaking news that football fans have been awaiting for over three years as David Ornstein of The Athletic reported that Manchester City had been found guilty on almost all of the charges related to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations.

The 10-time league champions were charged with 115 breaches of the rules in February 2023, midway through their infamous treble-winning campaign, and after a lengthy process that has had supporters around the world eagerly anticipating the outcome, they have been found guilty of 114 of the 115.

In that time, Arsenal missed out on two league titles to City before finally pipping Pep Guardiola and his side to the prize last season, ending a 22-year wait to win the Premier League once again. However, it's not clear if the Gunners' previous failures to overcome the Cityzens will be affected with the charges relating to breaches between 2009 and 2018.

There is currently no clarity over the sanctions City will face as they currently look to appeal the decision. From stripping their titles to relegation to non-League to a simple slap on the wrist and a transfer ban; fans have been thinking up every sort of punishment the Manchester outfit could be handed.

It could be a long time until supporters are informed on how City will be disciplined with the season likely to continue as normal once the extended international break is over in less than two weeks.

In the meantime though there is plenty of time to consider the impact any sanction would have on the remainder of the league, Arsenal included. With aspects of the dreamworld and reality taken into account, here's how Man City's financial breaches could actually affect the Gunners.

How Manchester City's financial breaches could actually affect Arsenal

Could Arsenal "win" any more trophies?

One of the most severe punishments that has been put forward by the footballing world has suggested City be stripped of all the titles and trophies they won in that period, and some even saying beyond to the present day.

While much of City's 21st century success has come after the period of the breaches, there are still a lot of answers needed for the nine they won between 2009 and 2018 with Arsenal potentially benefitting from one of those.

If the unlikely scenario of City being stripped of their titles with those being retrospectively awarded to the respective runner-ups, the Gunners would find themselves with a third League Cup to their name, having been defeated 3-0 in the 2018 final.

It's even less believable for the Manchester side to lose their trophies won after the alleged breaches, but there is potential for clubs to claim that they affected future triumphs so if it is to be the case, Arsenal would profit even further. Having finished as runners-up to City in the league twice, Arteta's side would be two titles richer as well as claiming another League Cup.

Reported lawsuit against Man City

A report by the Daily Mail on Saturday revealed that the verdict could trigger a series of legal claims for as much as £800million.

Arsenal could benefit from this as they, along with Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham, served formal notices that reserved their right to take action in the event City were found guilty.

These potential lawsuits come due to the respective clubs feeling as if they have missed out on significant income due to City's alleged breaking of the rules.

Current season

After five games of the Premier League season, City are top with Arsenal three points behind in second place, with the opening weeks suggesting this campaign could see yet another repeat of this familiar title clash.

While it's still early days, it is very likely the Gunners will be battling with Enzo Maresca's side for the prize and fans will be wondering if the breaches will have any effect on how the title race pans out come the end of the season.

City are currently expected to resume their campaign as normal once the extended international break ends in just under two weeks with some predicting their appeal and the case against them to drag on for another significant period.

With the breaches looming over the heads of the City board, the players will no doubt feel some sort of pressure to continue performing with such a huge punishment potentially waiting for the club.

Arsenal should look to continue playing their football and get back to winning ways once the season resumes, focusing fully on themselves rather than let whatever is happening with City distract them. Mikel Arteta's side should have a chance to capitalise on the situation on the pitch and must be there to take it.

Future seasons and potential transfers

Ahead of this campaign, many tipped Arteta and the Gunners to build a dynasty having finally won the league last season. With rivals such as City, Liverpool and Chelsea beginning new eras under managers expected to be in their roles for a long period, the path to more glory was expected to be clear for Arsenal.

While it's still too early to predict what this campaign will bring, any potential expulsion for City could present the North Londoners a clear chance to win multiple trophies in the next years. The Manchester side have been the main obstacle for Arsenal since 2022 and with Liverpool and Chelsea still adjusting to life under Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso, the Gunners could have a clear shot at winning silverware.

Not only could their honours list benefit from any possible removal of City, as extreme as that punishment is, Arsenal could also have the chance to sign some of their rivals' best players with the likelihood of the entire squad sticking around in the event of a Premier League explusion pretty slim.

Erling Haaland has already been linked with a surprise move to the Emirates by some sources while the likes of Iliman Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo could all end up on the market.

Remember it's just speculation

It's incredibly important to remember that at this point this is all just speculation. While City have been found guilty of an overwhelming majority of the charges brought against them, they reserve the right to appeal which they are taking up so things could change quickly.

There is no clear idea on what their punishment could be and if their appeal is rejected, the wheels will likely be set in motion for the sanctions to be explored and put into place. For now though, Arsenal, their fellow Premier League clubs, and the entire football fanbase will have to wait to see what awaits City at the end of this tricky legal road, and how that could affect the rest of England's top flight.

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