Many within football were pleasantly surprised when the Premier League not just found Man City guilty of all but one of the 115 charges, but also by the tone of their subsequent statement.Many fans assumed a business run by a state nation with unlimited resources would eventually get their way. Some (including myself) still fear that will be the case.That’s not sport that makes you that cynical, but the world we live in. The richer a company is, the better chance they have of getting their own way.The Premiership is by no means poor, but they are not owned by royals or prime ministers of nations who can afford the best lawyers to delay this case and/or find a loophole.That’s why the Prem’s statement, from a legal and professional point of view, was as close as they could get to saying what they really feel.They are angry and hurt that one of their members has jeopardised the hard work taken to turn their league into one of the UK’s most lucrative brands.That’s why politicians were quick to get involved when the Super League was announced, because football is England’s national sport and makes a country a lot of money.Taking the emotion out of it, there is a world where, on the blue half of Manchester, they truly believe in their innocence, that they have been wronged and harshly treated, and that they are confident that will be the outcome of their appeal.It’s just as likely that they’re run by owners who don’t care about British values, have faced bigger conflicts than this, have had their actions questioned in far more controversial matters, have argued their innocence, have gotten their way most of the time, and won’t really care what their image is.Don’t think that Sheikh Mansour goes to bed worrying about this. Which makes Sky Blues fans’ attitude bizarre, because if they are heavily sanctioned, they suffer longer-term than the regime they sing about.I can imagine it’s not the breaking of the rules that bothers Richard Masters as much as the lack of contrition, empathy or integrity at the Etihad.You keep waiting for someone on their board to show some morals and do the right thing; stop further hurting the reputation of a club and competition. If it was going to happen, it would have by now.How can the Premier League title race mean anything?Because if it wasn’t hurt during the international break, it took a further hit this weekend, and you wonder if it’s sustainable to run a competition this way.I tried to warn my peers they were getting overexcited with the notion that City would be bottom of the table at Christmas. They were never going to lie down and have their belly tickled.Instead of patting Maresca on the back for wins at Old Trafford and Anfield, we won’t know until after Christmas if these victories mean anything.Arsenal could go to the City Ground six points behind the league leaders, but as a Gooner, I don’t know if I need to worry or not.The Gunners could be 12 points off top in March and yet end up champions because of a decision off the pitch. Which you take, but it isn’t the most exciting way to retain your trophy.The Citizens could have a huge advantage going into 2027, yet end up relegated, or they could appeal the sanctions and drag this on until the end of the season.Every point they win or lose could count for nothing.They could be given medals in May, then have them taken away in June.Try marketing the Prem as the best in the world then.If we assume it won’t be until 2027 that the next part of this process is completed, that’s a long time to watch the product in this manner.That’s before other legal avenues are considered. Is the plan to bore us into submission, to the point we get tired of talking about them weekly?The Prem’s hands are tied in terms of what they can do until the appeal has been heard.(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)The Premier League must protect what it’s builtWhat I will say is, while their players and fans are not responsible, there was an element of poking the bear on Sunday. An already angry bear.Not just the 19 clubs in the division, but also those across the footballing pyramid, journalists, pundits, broadcasters and politicians.There are already questions about whether Arsenal could benefit from retrospective punishments, but this goes beyond the Gunners.If they all choose to protect the beautiful game, then that might be too much for even the UAE to fight. Could even get political.The Prem showed their sword with that statement. There is no going back now.Protect what you’ve built.Dan SmithGooners, has the uncertainty over Man City’s punishment already ruined the Premier League season? Join the conversation in the Just Arsenal comments below._____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…More Stories / Latest NewsThe Season Is Ruined: Man City’s Appeal Makes a Mockery of the Title Race – Opinion14 October 2026, 23:00Michael Oliver, Man City and the Questions That Won’t Go Away – Opinion14 October 2026, 22:00Arsenal joins the race to sign French star14 October 2026, 21:00The post The Season Is Ruined: Man City’s Appeal Makes a Mockery of the Title Race – Opinion appeared first on Just Arsenal News.