Mikel Arteta has responded to Pep Guardiola following a tense exchange stemming from Arsenal’s controversial tactics during their 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last Sunday. The match was filled with contentious moments, including Leandro Trossard’s red card, which left Arsenal playing with 10 men. This, along with Arsenal’s approach to the game, sparked criticism. City midfielder Bernardo Silva expressed his dissatisfaction after the match, implying that Arsenal wasn’t interested in playing a genuine game of football, even though they held a 2-1 lead at halftime.
During a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s match against Leicester City, Arteta was asked about Silva’s remarks. Rather than addressing them directly, Arteta declined to comment but hinted that he had a deeper understanding of the inner workings of Manchester City, given his time as an assistant under Guardiola. He said, “No comment. I’ve been there before. I was there for four years—I have all the information. So I know. Believe me.” His response was somewhat cryptic, suggesting that his experience at Manchester City gave him insight into the situation, but he refrained from elaborating further.
Guardiola, however, was not pleased with Arteta’s comment. In his own pre-match press conference before City’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle, he addressed Arteta’s remarks directly. Guardiola suggested that his former assistant should clarify what he meant by “having been there for four years and knowing what happens.” He speculated that Arteta might be alluding to either Manchester City’s internal operations or possibly the ongoing charges against the club. Nevertheless, Guardiola emphasized his respect for Arteta but urged him to clarify his comments, implying that the vagueness left room for misinterpretation.
Following Arsenal’s 4-2 victory over Leicester City, Arteta had another opportunity to clarify his remarks and address the tension between him and Guardiola. He sought to downplay any potential misunderstanding, emphasizing his admiration and respect for Guardiola. Arteta explained that when he referred to knowing things about Manchester City, he was speaking more about understanding the level of hard work and dedication that goes into their success. He was keen to stress that his comments weren’t meant to cause any friction and that he deeply values his relationship with Guardiola. “When I say I know things about Man City, I mean I understand how hard they work. I want to be clear—I love Pep, I admire him, and I have deep respect for everything he does for me. I consider him a friend,” Arteta said.
This response aimed to diffuse any tension between the two managers, reinforcing that Arteta’s initial comment was not intended to be inflammatory or critical of Guardiola or Manchester City.