UEFA: Arsenal boss, Arteta reacts to Champions League ban on Manchester City

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Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has insisted that he is not conflicted over UEFA ban on Manchester City.

The Spaniard, however, said he looks forward to taking advantage of the plight of Man City, a club he left few months ago, and lead the Gunners back into the Champions League.

UEFA on Friday slammed the Premier League holders with a two-season ban from all European competitions for a “serious” breach of Financial Fair Play rules.

The Citizen have vowed to appeal the decision but as it stands City’s exclusion from the Champions League has opened up an opportunity for their Premier League rivals

Arteta, who left Arsenal to join City in 2016 as Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach, said will not let his close ties with the Etihad landlords distract him as he looks to mount a sustained challenge for a Champions League place in the season run-in.

Arsenal are now 10th in the EPL table following their 4-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday and within six points of fifth.
Arteta told Sky Sports, “We want to go game by game. Ten days ago I was disappointed with the draw at Burnley and everything was looking so far behind.

“It’s up to us, how consistent we can be from now until the end of the season. If we are going to have a chance going into the last three games, we have to put a run together.

“We don’t know anything about it and we will have to wait and see.

“[It’s] Very difficult but I am not conflicted at all. I just want the best for Manchester City, for Pep, for the players. I am so grateful for the time I spent there.

“[But] I just want to do for Arsenal the best we can to achieve what we deserve.”