Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has indicated that his rivalry with Arsenal has escalated following their recent Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has indicated that his rivalry with Arsenal has escalated following their recent Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium. The game, which ended in a 2-2 draw, was marked by intense moments, including an incident where City striker Erling Haaland threw the ball at Arsenal defender Gabriel. Guardiola stated that Arsenal’s tactics provoked him into a more competitive stance, saying, “You want a battle? Now we have one,” and acknowledging that the rivalry is akin to a “war” as both teams push each other to their limits. He emphasized that if provoked, he is ready to respond in kind, highlighting the growing tension between the two clubs following their latest encounter[1][3][4].
After the match, Manchester City’s John Stones and Kyle Walker accused Arsenal of employing “dark arts” tactics to maintain their 2-1 lead at halftime. Stones, who came off the bench, scored an equalizer in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
In comments made on Friday, Guardiola stated, “You want a war? Now we have one.” He echoed Gabriel’s sentiments from the post-match press conference, describing the situation as a “war” and emphasizing the need to provoke their opponents. Guardiola added, “If you provoke me, fine, I’m ready.”
Gabriel had previously remarked that football often involves provocative actions, stating, “It’s a battle, a war, so it’s normal for there to be provocative acts in football; it’s part of the game. Now this is over, and we are waiting for them at our ground.”
What did Arteta say?
On Tuesday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta responded to accusations of his team using “dark arts” during their recent match against Manchester City. Drawing on his experience as Pep Guardiola’s assistant for three and a half years until December 2019, Arteta stated, “I was there for four years. I have all the information, so I know, believe me.”
In a follow-up remark on Friday, Guardiola suggested that Arteta should clarify his comments about his time at City. He remarked, “Next time Mikel has to be more clear about exactly what he means,” implying that Arteta’s knowledge might relate to the ongoing investigation into City’s alleged 115 breaches of financial regulations. Guardiola expressed curiosity about whether Arteta had specific insights regarding those charges.
Both managers spoke simultaneously on Friday, with Arteta attempting to minimize any perception of conflict between them. He expressed admiration for Guardiola, saying, “I love him, I respect him and I admire him.” Arteta emphasized that their professional roles do not interfere with their personal relationship, asserting that if their bond were affected by competitive outcomes, it would not reflect the true nature of their connection.
“Emotions are high” – a rivalry driven by championship contests.
The rivalry between Manchester City and Arsenal has intensified over the last two seasons.
In the 2022-23 season, Arsenal held an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League in early April but lost that advantage during a stretch of four winless games, ultimately finishing second, five points behind City. Last season, the Gunners again found themselves at the top in April but surrendered their lead after a 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa, finishing two points behind City despite winning their last six matches.
The heightened tension between the clubs was evident after City’s late equalizer last weekend, when Erling Haaland threw the ball at Gabriel’s head—a move many commentators believed warranted punishment for Haaland.
Guardiola remarked, “I would say that sometimes emotions are high,” acknowledging that while Haaland may not be proud of his actions, he understands the nature of Arsenal’s challenges.
Arsenal is scheduled to face City again on February 1 in the Premier League, with a chance they might meet earlier in one of the domestic cup competitions.
