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Mikel Arteta had to step in and clear up some comments that got Pep Guardiola talking about City’s ongoing legal troubles with their “115 charges.” It’s clear that the atmosphere between these two clubs is getting pretty intense as they battle for Premier League glory, and Guardiola’s reaction shows just how much Arteta’s words hit home.
Things really heated up when Guardiola brought up those 115 charges against City, responding to Arteta’s earlier quip about having “all the information” on them. Many took that as a nod to his insider knowledge from his time as Guardiola’s assistant. While Arteta meant to talk about gamesmanship on the pitch, Guardiola seemed to see it as a dig at City’s off-field conduct.
Initially, Arsenal kept quiet, hoping it would blow over, but as the media buzzed, it became clear Guardiola’s comments had rattled them. City, who usually shy away from discussing the legal case, now had their manager openly addressing it. Arsenal’s players and staff started chatting about how they’d “rattled” their rivals and “won the psychological war.” Gabriel even called their recent match “a war,” a sentiment Guardiola agreed with.
Arteta, wanting to ease the tension, made a public statement to cool things down. In a press conference, he expressed his admiration for Guardiola, calling him a friend and mentor, and said his comments were misunderstood. He clarified that his mention of having “all the information” was just about City’s drive to win and their work ethic.
Arteta’s comments seemed aimed at mending the friendly relationship they once had, saying, “I can repeat it very clearly, I love Pep, I’ve admired him since I was 10 years old… I respect him profoundly, and I am so grateful for everything he did for me and continues to do for me. I consider him a friend.”
He went on to explain that he wanted to instill City’s winning mentality – even if it involves a bit of the “dark arts” – in his own team. “What they’ve achieved is remarkable, and it’s driven by that mentality,” he said.
Even with this friendly tone, the fierce competition between the two sides shows that this rivalry is far from over. Both clubs are in a heated title race, and the stakes were clear in their 2-2 draw last week, which ended in a fiery confrontation. That match had dramatic moments as tensions flared on the pitch, with players from both sides getting into heated exchanges.
Off the pitch, things have been just as tense. Footage showed Arsenal’s executive vice-chairman, Tim Lewis, refusing to shake hands with City officials after the match. While Arsenal downplayed it, saying Lewis wanted to console the players, others suggested the tensions run deeper, fueled by issues like state ownership and the ethical debates around City’s finances. Lewis has been quite vocal about this in Premier League meetings, adding another layer of animosity.
While Arteta’s attempts to calm things down might have worked for now, it’s clear the rivalry has entered a new phase. Guardiola and Arteta, once close colleagues, are now fierce competitors. As Arteta said, this is “just part of football,” and the desire to win drives both managers and their teams.
Fans and media have definitely noticed the growing animosity. The next clash, set for 1 February 2025, is already marked on calendars as a key date in the title race. By then, the Premier League’s legal process against Manchester City is expected to have moved along, adding even more drama to this charged rivalry.
Arteta himself acknowledged that these tensions are just part of top-level competition. Earlier this week, he admitted he’d prefer “this kind of reaction” over being patronized by opponents after a loss. For him, Guardiola’s sharp response shows Arsenal are now seen as serious contenders.
Despite Arteta’s olive branch, it’s unlikely this will be the last we hear of this feud. With both teams vying for supremacy and the legal issues looming over City, the next encounter promises to be just as intense. For now, the relationship between the two managers remains respectful, but the future is uncertain as both clubs gear up for another heated showdown.
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