Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed suggestions of a rift between him and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, stating that he has nothing but love and respect for his former colleague. Despite recent verbal exchanges, Arteta made it clear that their relationship remains strong, even as their teams fiercely compete in the Premier League.
Arteta Responds to Guardiola’s ‘War’ Comments
Earlier in the week, Pep Guardiola mentioned feeling provoked into a “war” with Arsenal after the teams played out an intense 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium. The tension between the managers seemed to escalate when some City players accused Arsenal of employing ‘dark arts’ to protect their lead during the match. Arteta, in response, revealed he had inside knowledge of City’s tactics due to his time as Guardiola’s assistant.
Arteta: “I Respect Him Profoundly”
In his latest comments, Arteta downplayed the supposed feud, emphasizing his admiration for Guardiola:
“I’ve admired him since I was 10 years old. I respect him profoundly,” Arteta said. He went on to express his gratitude for everything Guardiola has done for him and reiterated that any attempts to harm their friendship are beyond his control:
“If someone wants to damage the relationship, that’s not in my hands. The feeling is profound. [Guardiola] knows it, the staff know it, and I still speak with them today.”
Arsenal’s Dramatic Win Adds to Positive Atmosphere
Following the exchange of words between the two managers, Arsenal secured a thrilling 4-2 victory over Leicester, scoring twice in stoppage time to claim all three points. Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott praised the club’s positive energy under Arteta:
“The positive energy is feeding out of the club at the moment. It is even bigger to get the win because Man City dropped points today,” Walcott remarked after Manchester City were held to a draw against Newcastle.
While the media may speculate on a growing rivalry between Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola, the Arsenal boss made it clear that their personal relationship remains intact. Despite the verbal back-and-forth and the intense competition on the pitch, Arteta’s deep respect for Guardiola continues to guide his actions. With Arsenal riding high after their win and City dropping points, the battle between the clubs may intensify, but the mutual admiration between the managers remains strong.