Mikel Arteta has expressed that he still “loves” Pep Guardiola, despite the Manchester City manager’s heated comments earlier this week.
Arteta, now the Arsenal head coach, was once a trusted colleague of Guardiola during his time as assistant manager at Manchester City.
However, the two have since become fierce rivals, with their respective teams competing for the Premier League title over the past two seasons.
Arsenal and City are expected to battle for the title once again this year, and tensions flared after their controversial 2-2 draw last weekend.
Since the match, tensions between Guardiola and Arteta have risen publicly.
Guardiola criticized what he perceived as time-wasting tactics from Arteta’s side during the match, but Arteta was quick to respond, stating that Manchester City has employed similar strategies in the past.
Guardiola then demanded further clarification from Arteta regarding his comments.
He said: “Next time he has to be more clear about exactly what he means.
“We know exactly what happened here in those four years.
“Maybe it’s about the 115 charges (for allegedly breaking Premier League financial rules).
“Maybe he has information on that, or maybe he has something (else), I don’t know?
“Next time, with the good relations I have with him, he can answer exactly what he means when he says he was here.”
Following Arsenal’s thrilling win over Leicester, Mikel Arteta insists there is no issue between him and his former mentor.
Speaking in a press conference, Arteta said: “OK, I can repeat it. I love Pep. I’ve admired him since I was 10 years old.
“I respect him profoundly. I’m so grateful for everything he does and see him as a friend.
“When I say I know them it means I know how hard they work.
“The reason they are there is because they maintain that hunger.
“I cannot be any more clear than that. If someone wants to damage that relationship, I cannot control it.
“For me sport is about that will to win.
“They have it even though, they’ve won more than everybody else.
“Hopefully that’s clear.”
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