“Very small” – Arsene Wenger makes Manchester City prediction around Premier League charges

Arsenal and Premier League managerial legend Arsene Wenger has offered his honest take on Manchester City’s charges issued by the English top-flight last week.

Last Monday, the Premier League released a statement confirming that Manchester City had been charged by the division over numerous breaches of financial rules following a four-year investigation into the club.

Since then, there has been an enormous defence from the current Premier Leagues champions, with the likes of Pep Guardiola and sources within the club stressing their confidence at escaping the charges without any punishment.

Possible sanctions have been mooted across social media since the release of the charges, including the possibility of either Manchester City losing their status as a Premier League football team entirely, or previous title crowns being stripped from them.

The latest high-profile figure to offer his take on the situation is football legend Arsene Wenger.

Speaking to beIN Sports on Monday evening, Arsene Wenger was asked what he believes are the chances of Manchester City losing their Premier League status, should they be found guilty of breaching financial rules.

“Very small one. I think so,” Wenger responded.

“I believe at the moment I know quite well Khaldoon (Al Mubarak – Manchester City chairman) and I think he’s an intelligent man and an honest man so I was quite surprised by the charges they face so let’s see the outcome.”

Arsene Wenger continued, “If they are guilty, then they will face penalties. I don’t know what they will be.”

Blackstone Chambers’ Lord Pannick KC is set to defend Manchester City again against the Premier League, with Monckton Chambers’ Paul Harris KC joining the aforementioned Pannick on the Etihad Stadium’s team.

Pannick has had previous successes involving Manchester City, most recently playing a significant role in the overturning of their European football ban handed out by UEFA three years ago to the day.

No conclusion on Manchester City’s case involving the Premier League is expected in the near future however, despite rival clubs desperate for an outcome in the coming six months, with some even suggesting that a verdict may come as far away as 2027.