Manchester City's response to a spectacular early-season collapse has been to throw the chequebook at it.

Not only is this a warning to Arsenal in this season's title race, but reportedly also part of a £1bn hint that the Gunners' rivals are confident they will escape punishment over their 115+ charges of financial wrongdoing.

Almost two years ago to the day, the Premier League lodged their charges against the reigning champions, who have strongly denied any wrongdoing.

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Not only for Man City, but for Arsenal and the rest of the league's clubs too, the outcome - expected this year following the trial's conclusion in December 2024 - will create shockwaves.

Whilst no verdict has been delivered yet, the topic has been brought back into the fold last week upon the news of Erling Haaland's bumper contract renewal at the Etihad Stadium.

Now, The Mirror reports Man City's confidence that they will escape the possibility of relegation from the English top-flight, severe points deductions, transfer bans, or heavy financial punishment. This is all owed to their continued spending, despite the obvious risks involved.

Haaland's new deal supposedly hands the 112-goal striker a base £500,000 per-week salary, speculated to rise much higher through additional bonuses. Spread over nine-and-a-half years, that is a £247m commitment off the bat.

In an attempt to close the 12-point gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool, Pep Guardiola could make as many as six signings this January for another £250m combined, it is then stated.

Not only are they looking into on-field matters, but £300m has been used to fund the building of a new stand, hotel and leisure complex at the north end of their stadium, plus they have invested heavily in infrastructure in their ground's vicinity, namely the £450m Co-op Live arena.

All of this is happening right now, even in the face of 115+ charges of varying severity. In response, a legal source of The Mirror's commented: "It would be a huge shock if City's owners decided to bankroll such a massive programme of investment if they were about to be relegated from the Premier League.

"Spending heavily in the transfer market and handing Haaland a new contract suggest that they feel they have cleared themselves of at least the most serious allegations.

"It is hard to see a different scenario. It would be like a convicted man buying a new Rolls Royce on the morning he expected to be given a 10-year prison sentence."

As of now it remains unknown when the independent commission will release their decision having reviewed all of the charges involved.

Most recently Guardiola himself suggested February or March 2025, though an appeal is anticipated from whichever side loses the case, which would indefinitely prolong a verdict.