Mikel Arteta makes U-turn on Pep Guardiola after Man City boss' furious response
Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have long been friends following their spell together at Manchester City but relations have grown frosty since last weekend's draw between the two sides
by Daniel Orme · The MirrorMikel Arteta insists he still "loves" Pep Guardiola despite the Manchester City boss' furious comments this week.
The current Arsenal boss was a trusted colleague of Guardiola during his time as assistant coach at the Etihad Stadium. But the pair are now fierce rivals.
Arsenal and City have gone head-to-head for the Premier League title in each of the last two seasons and are expected to do so again. The two sides also battled to a controversial 2-2 draw last weekend.
Since then, hostilities have stirred between Guardiola and Arteta gown - at least publicly. The former questioned Arteta's perceived time-wasting tactics in the aftermath, but the Arsenal boss fired back by claiming his side did exactly the same.
Guardiola then demanded an explanation from Arteta. He said: "Next time he has to be more clear about exactly what he means. We know exactly what happened here in those four years.
"Maybe it's about the 115 charges (for allegedly breaking Premier League financial rules). Maybe he has information on that, or maybe he has something (else), I don't know? Next time, with the good relations I have with him, he can answer exactly what he means when he says he was here."
But following Arsenal's thrilling win vs Leicester, Arteta insists that there is no problem between him and his former mentor. Speaking in a press conference, Arteta said: "OK, I can repeat it. I love Pep. I’ve admired him since I was 10 years old.
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"I respect him profoundly. I’m so grateful for everything he does and see him as a friend. When I say I know them it means I know how hard they work. The reason they are there is because they maintain that hunger.
"I cannot be any more clear than that. If someone wants to damage that relationship, I cannot control it. For me sport is about that will to win. They have it even though, they’ve won more than everybody else. Hopefully that’s clear."
Both Arsenal and City are now level at the top of the Premier League after the weekend's results. Each side have 14 points with City marginally ahead on goal difference.
Guardiola's side were held by Newcastle on Saturday - Josko Gvardiol and Anthony Gordon exchanging strikes. Meanwhile, Arsenal then just about got over the line against Leicester.
Strikes from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard put Arsenal on their way to victory only for a brace from Leicester defender James Justin to level matters. A stoppage time Wilfred Ndidi own goal and a Kai Havertz strike wrapped up three points for Arteta's side. Arteta and Guardiola will renew rivalries in early February when City travel to the Emirates.
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