18 Arsenal players who would get winner's medal if Man City stripped of titles
Arsenal were beaten 3-0 at the 2018 Carabao Cup final
Arsenal will be monitoring developments closely after Manchester City were reportedly found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges relating to alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations. City maintain their innocence and are expected to appeal the verdict, while any potential punishment has yet to be determined, leaving all sanctions on the table.
The investigation stems from leaked financial documents published in November 2018, with the 115 charges covering the period between 2008/09 and 2017/18 and relating to alleged breaches of multiple Premier League financial regulations. During that time, Pep Guardiola oversaw the most successful era in City's history before leaving the club this summer after a decade in charge.
The charges covered a period between 2009 and 2018, with City now found guilty of breaching the league's financial rules. Although Arsenal did not finish as Premier League runners-up to City during that timeframe, they were beaten by Guardiola's side in the 2018 Carabao Cup final when Arsene Wenger was in charge.
The Cityzens ran out 3-0 winners at Wembley, lifting the trophy at Arsenal's expense. Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva scored the goals.
Should past honours come under scrutiny as part of any future sanctions, that Cup title could come under the spotlight alongside the numerous other trophies won during City’s dominant era. However, it remains unclear what action, if any, will ultimately be taken.
The Athletic has reported that one possible outcome could see affected clubs join together in a class-action lawsuit seeking damages.
If Arsenal were ultimately awarded the 2017/18 Carabao Cup, football.london has taken a look back at the players involved in the final and those who could potentially lay claim to a winners' medal.
Starting XI: David Ospina, Calum Chambers, Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, Hector Bellerin, Jack Wilshere, Granit Xhaka, Nacho Monreal, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Subs: Petr Cech, Per Mertesacker, Sead Kolasinac, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Mohamed Elneny, Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck.
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However, Arsenal may have to wait some time before receiving any clarity, with Manchester City expected to appeal the independent commission's verdict. Under Premier League rules, the club has 14 days from the decision to lodge a formal appeal, which would then be heard by a three-person panel chaired by former High Court judge Sir Gary Hickinbottom. It is not yet clear whether that 14-day period has already begun.
Any appeal would likely delay the implementation of any sanctions, whether that be fines, points deductions or other sporting punishments. However, the Premier League regards the appeal panel's decision as final, meaning City would be unable to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
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