In a fiery response to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s previous statements, Pep Guardiola implied the Spaniard may have knowledge about the club’s accusations.
The current encounter between the two teams follows their thrilling 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium last weekend, in which a late John Stones equalizer in the eighth minute of extra time breached a nine-man Arsenal defence and grabbed a point for the hosts.
That triggered head-to-head clashes at the final whistle, with Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, Manuel Akanji, and the aforementioned Stones criticising Arsenal’s overall approach to the game, notably their execution of football’s ‘dark arts’.
In response to Manchester City’s criticism of Arsenal’s performance, Mikel Arteta stated during a follow-up press conference, “I have been there (at Manchester City) before. I attended City for four years. I have all the information. So I understand. Believe me.
Speaking at a recent news conference of his own, Pep Guardiola had to double and triple check to ensure that the Arsenal manager had truly stated what was communicated to him.
Did he say that? What did he say, exactly? (Journalist: ‘I was there for four years’) He’s correct. And? (Journalist: ‘Implication was he was at City for four years, and I know what goes on there; the same’) Mikel (Arteta) has to be clearer next time! (Journalist: ‘You’re not aware of his saying anything at all?!’) No, next time he has to be more specific about what he means when he says he has been here for four years and understands exactly what occurs here.
Guardiola went on, “Because it may be connected to all the procedures currently with 155 charges, maybe it’s about that, maybe he knows something about it, or maybe he has some stuff that I don’t know.
“Next time, he should explain exactly what happened. (Journalist: ‘I assume he said it on purpose, to leave it hanging?’) Okay, next time, given the wonderful relationship I have with him, I hope this subject is addressed and he can explain clearly what it means.
“What I said, he was here, and I know what occurs here. There are still clouds there, to be more accurate. We texted after the game, and that was all.”
