Arsenal have been warned by former player Martin Keown that title rivals Manchester City are likely to respond with results on the pitch after recent charges against the club for alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules. It comes as the Premier League released a statement on Monday announcing the breach of over 100 rules.
It concludes a four-year investigation into the football club that begun after a report from German outlet Der Spiegel detailed information from Football Leaks regarding City through hacked emails. UEFA had banned the Manchester club for two-years and fined them following their own investigation in 2020, but an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned the ban amid rules on a time bar stopping them retroactively taking action.
The Premier League doesn't have any such issue in taking action, now concluding their investigation that spans 2009 until 2018, with the process set for an independent panel. Should these breaches stick, City could face a whole set of punishments, including points deductions and potential expulsion from the league.
READ MORE: Premier League make major decision ahead of Arsenal vs Man City with referee announcement
Manchester City claimed in their statement they were surprised by the allegations and deny any wrongdoing during this period. While it could take a while for the final verdict to be heard, there could still be an impact on the pitch, given the distraction it takes from the title charge.
Former Arsenal player Keown believes that a reaction is coming and warned the Gunners on TalkSPORT: "I’m pretty certain this will only galvanise the City players, this can be used as fuel to get back to the top of the Premier League table. There’s a feeling that the world is against them now, the ramifications are huge.
"These players will want to hit back, they’ll use this as energy. They’ll have the best lawyers in the world against this and they’ll want to get the truth out."
Five points is the current gap between the two sides, with the north London outfit holding a game in hand. However, with a clash against each other next week and another fixture in between, it remains to be seen what the impact will be on the playing staff and coaches alike.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal signing in line to replace Gabriel Martinelli as injured star could return vs Brentford
Premier League make major decision ahead of Arsenal vs Man City with referee announcement
Mikel Arteta told to make Ben White decision as Arsenal dilemma looms ahead of Brentford
Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe: Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Brentford clash
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
