Mikel Arteta's Arsenal dream could now come true as potential Man City punishments are revealed
Arsenal and Manchester City have shared a fierce rivalry on the pitch in recent seasons.
The Gunners struggled to dethrone Pep Guardiola’s side in their initial attempts, but they finally got over the line and became champions in the 2025/26 campaign. They are the favourites to win it again this term.
Manchester City are on top of the Premier League table right now, but they have been found guilty of over 100 charges and could face severe punishment.
If that were to happen, Mikel Arteta would find it easier to achieve his dream at Arsenal.
Duncan Castles outlines potential punishments for Manchester City
Manchester City were found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations by an independent commission.
The Sky Blues have announced that they have appealed against the verdict, claiming that the commission’s ruling contained “clear material errors of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe”.
City have maintained that they are innocent throughout the process, and they have announced the filing of ‘a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence’ to back their case. (BBC)
It now remains to be seen what will happen with the appeal, but Duncan Castles has outlined what punishment City could face if they ‘continue to escalate their conflict with the Premier League’.
In a tweet, the journalist revealed that City could be expelled from the Premier League and also be denied admission by the EFL to any of its divisions.
Furthermore, Castles has claimed that City’s owners, directors and executives could all be removed from their positions at the club.
If these were to happen, we would not be seeing Manchester City back in the Premier League anytime soon.
Understand that the punishment Manchester City faces from English football should the Abu Dhabi-owned club continue to escalate its conflict with the Premier League include:
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) October 2, 2026
🔻Expulsion from the League
🔻The EFL declining to grant City admission to any of its divisions
🔻Removal… https://t.co/V8vcbK4S4M
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal dynasty dream could come true
Mikel Arteta finally got his hands on the Premier League title at the end of last season, but he is not satisfied with just one. He wants many more.
The BBC have claimed that the Spaniard has only agreed to sign a new contract because he wants to build a dynasty at Arsenal in the coming years.
If Manchester City face all of the above punishments, Arteta’s dream will become slightly easier as no other team in the country is as well-placed as City to really challenge Arsenal.
Yes, that may well change going forward, but the Gunners will become stronger than they are now too, thus giving them a better chance to create a dynasty like Arteta wants.