Pep Guardiola insists that he still has an “exceptional” relationship with Mikel Arteta prior to the huge Premier League collision of Manchester City against Arsenal this Sunday.
Guardiola and Arteta worked together in City for three and a half years before the Spaniard Unai Emery in North London replaced in 2019.
The two teams have since come across each other for the Premier League title in the past two seasons, where Guardiola both won about his former student.
In their meeting earlier this campaign sealed the 98th-minute equalizer by John Stones a part of the loot in an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Etihad Stadium.
But after the meeting, the tensions between the two parties reached the boiling point, with the “Stay Humble” of Erling Haaland at Arteta that causes protest among the arsenal players.
Arteta also suggested that he had “all the information” about the use of “Dark Arts” through the city, but Guardiola rejected the claim that a gap had developed between the coaches.
“Exceptional,” said Guardiola, when he was asked about his relationship with Arteta at a press conference on Friday.
“With him and his family. We don't have much contact with us because we have things, but the respect we have is always there.”
Back on the road this weekend
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– Manchester City (@Mancity) January 30, 2025
In anticipation of Arsenal this weekend, City also discovered their opponents for the play-off round of the Champions League after beating Club Brugge on Wednesday with 3-1.
The citizens finished 22nd in the rankings of 36 teams and were pulled against holders Real Madrid, the side that struck them in the quarterfinals in 2023-24.
It is still a difficult game in front of Guardiola to navigate this month, with further collisions against Newcastle United, Liverpool and Tottenham that come in February.
The city boss described his draw with Madrid as a derby, while he also insists that his revitalized team is ready for the challenges that lie in front of us.
“We started in Paris and then Chelsea, so we are already there with difficult games,” said Guardiola. “We have treated this kind of incredible schedule for many, many years.
“So it's no problem. Madrid is extremely difficult. We know that. It is difficult to play against Real and the problem is in the middle of Newcastle.”
“It already feels like a derby. Four years in a row opposite Real Madrid,” Guardiola added on the side of Carlo Ancelotti again.
“But Bayern or Madrid – both were really difficult. Hopefully we can arrive here in the first stage, and then in Madrid, as well as possible.”
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