Arsenal will continue their wait to find out the fate of their Premier League title rivals Manchester City as the ongoing investigation into their alleged 115 financial breaches goes on. The latest update is that an outcome is expected not until 2025 with the hearing to start next month.

Arsenal have seen the likes of Everton and Nottingham Forest both face points deductions and sanctions over breaches of Profit and Sustainability Regulations. However, this is an entirely different scenario with the sheer bulk of the charges facing the champions the cause for the drawn-out saga.

Arsenal themselves have been compliant with financial restrictions and announced so in their 2022/23 financial results. A statement on the club website read: “The club continues to be compliant with applicable financial sustainability regulations put in place by UEFA and the Premier League.”

The whole situation has raised many questions from fans regarding what might happen in case of any potential punishments dealt to Man City if they were hypothetically found to have breached the regulations. Speculation over points deductions, potential relegations and even the stripping of titles has been raised.

Arsenal finished second to City in the last two seasons. They are set to restart their charge to end a now 21-year wait for the Premier League crown this week as the English top flight kicks off with the Gunners facing Wolves while Pep Guardiola’s side play Chelsea.

Guardiola was bullish in his response recently when asked about his rivals’ spending. Citing what the likes of Arsenal have done in the transfer market over recent seasons.

"Yes, many years they have done it, many years but it's not news,” he said in a pre-match press conference before the Community Shield. “It's just when City spend money.

“Of course, I am concerned for many years [about] how good they are. Because every year they are better and getting better.

“You see Arsenal playing at the same level as last season, I saw the game against [Bayer] Leverkusen - they are on fire. Every year looks more difficult; United will be back, you know? They bought players and everyone wants the crown that we have [had] for four years."

While Arsenal suffered only a single defeat in pre-season to Liverpool, City were beaten three times by Celtic, AC Milan and Barcelona (on penalties). Guardiola did see many of his senior players return to play Manchester United in the Community Shield and build back some momentum with a win from spot kicks to lift the shield which they were beaten for last summer by Arsenal.

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