Mikel Arteta sends sympathy message to Pep Guardiola over ‘self harm’ comment

Mikel Arteta has sent a message of condolence to Pep Guardiola after the Manchester City manager said he wanted to 'harm himself'.

After Tuesday's 3-3 draw in the Champions League against Feyenoord, Guardiola was asked at the press conference about scratches on his head and nose.

He explained that it was caused by his fingernail, before adding with a smile: “I want to hurt myself.”

The Man City boss issued a statement on social media on Wednesday, insisting it was not his intention to make light of self-harm.

Both Arteta and Guardiola are close, Arteta worked under the 53-year-old as an assistant coach at the Manchester club between 2016 and 2019.

When asked if he was concerned about Guardiola, the Arsenal boss said: “That's a very personal thing, but I feel a lot of sympathy for all my colleagues because I know the work, how ruthless this industry is and how we are just one thing to be judged. – results.

'It doesn't matter if you do exactly the same thing and the outcome is different. We have to deal with that, I know how difficult it is, because personally I have experienced that a lot and every defeat is obviously super painful and that's all.

“Just put some perspective into it, like we always do, and move on, because there's always another game.”

Ahead of the Gunners' match against West Ham on Saturday, Arteta also offered a cryptic message to Gabriel, who was forced off in the 5-1 win over Sporting Lisbon.

Gabriel has started every Premier League and Champions League match for the north London club, although Arteta admitted there is a chance the 26-year-old could lose that record this weekend.

He said: 'We have to see how the boys are today (in training). Some couldn't train yesterday, but hopefully they will today. We'll have to wait and see.'

But when asked specifically about Gabriel, Arteta added: 'Just wait and see. (I won't give you anymore) because I can't. It's not that I don't want to.'