Premier League chief explains plan for Arsenal decision amid Man City snub and 115 charges wait

Premier League CEO Richard Masters has given his reason for attending Arsenal's final game of the season rather than watching Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side had the title in their hands heading into the match, knowing a win would secure their fourth in a row.

Despite this, Masters still chose against being at the Etihad Stadium, instead opting to be in north London for Everton's visit to the Emirates Stadium. It comes with an ongoing wait around City's 115 charges from the league alleging them of breaking financial rules across a 10-year period.

It has been over 12 months now since the Premier League took war on their most successful team of the past decade, announcing unprecedented suggestions of breaching rules that now carry the threat of possible points deductions. The trial is set to be held later this year, though no official date has been given publicly.

Speaking at the start of the season, Masters said he could understand concerns over the timing and looming impact if the charges. He said: "It’s now in the hands of an independent panel.

"I can’t comment on it, it’s with them, they will set the timeline. And I can’t comment on when it will come to fruition. But it will be heard, it will come to fruition, I just can’t say when, and I can’t comment on it.”

Now, at the Emirates Stadium, he didn't give in to questions regarding why he was in London rather than Manchester. "We do have two teams in operation," he said shortly.

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"Obviously, whoever wins the league title today, we are going to put on a fitting finale for whoever wins it. But I am afraid it is not particularly scientific.

"There are no protocols involved, but after Tuesday night's match between Spurs and Man City, I had a chat with our chair, Alison Brittain, and this is the plan we came up with. It is no more simple than that."

Arsenal's win over Manchester United last weekend ensured that the title would go down to the final day, but City edged past Tottenham two days later to move back to the summit. Masters was present when City lifted the trophy last season, though that came before the final day of the season, after a home victory against Chelsea.