Pep Guardiola wants clarity from Mikel Arteta as Manchester City v Arsenal rivalry ignites - 'Now we war'
ByOli Gent
Updated 27/09/2024 at 23:59 GMT+1
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has declared "war" on Arsenal in the aftermath of their hot-tempered encounter at the Etihad Stadium last week. The game ended 2-2, with John Stones scoring a last-minute equaliser for City, while Leandro Trossard was sent off for Arsenal. There were also feisty scenes at full-time, with Erling Haaland at the centre of the chaos along with Gabriel Jesus.
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Pep Guardiola has declared “war” on Arsenal in the wake of Manchester City’s fiery 2-2 draw with Mikel Arteta’s side.
There were feisty scenes between the two sets of players at the Etihad Stadium, as Leandro Trossard was sent off, and Erling Haaland was at the centre of a fracas at full-time, calling Gabriel Jesus a “clown” and telling Arteta to “stay humble”.
The Norwegian, who opened the scoring last weekend, also threw the ball at Gabriel’s head after John Stones’ dramatic late equaliser to rescue a point for City.
Rodri was also forced off with what turned out to be a season-ending cruciate ligament injury, although Guardiola shrugged off any indication that Arsenal’s players had 'targeted’ City’s Spanish midfielder.
Asked about Arsenal’s use of the ‘dark arts’, Arteta said: "I was there for four years. I have all the information. So I know. Believe me.”
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Guardiola, Arteta’s former colleague, was confused by his compatriot’s answer.
"Next time he has to be more clear exactly what does it mean," the City boss said.
"He said he was here four years, and we know exactly what happened here, because it can be related in all the process now with 155 charges. Maybe it's about that; he knows information about that maybe. Or maybe he had something like, I don't know, because really, next time I have to see more clearly exactly what happened.
"Next time, like a good relation I have with him, hopefully this question has been asked. He can answer exactly what does it mean when he said he was here and I know what's happening here, and instead of [speculation hanging] in the clouds to be more precise."
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On the tempestuous exchanges between the players during the match last weekend, Guardiola acknowledged the “emotions” of such a fixture.
"I would say that sometimes the emotions are so there," Guardiola said.
"Gabriel said it perfectly after the match: 'this is a war, we are here to provoke the opponent, to push them', and at the end, what can you do? So, we have to, okay, you provoke me, okay, I'm there.
"You want a war? Now we war. So, what do I have to do?
"I'm pretty sure [Haaland] is not proud. But listen, the type of challenge that Arsenal challenges, I understand it."
City travel to Newcastle in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off live on TNT Sports and discovery+, while Arsenal face Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium at 3pm later that day.
The Gunners will remain without their injured captain Martin Odegaard, while City will not have Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne.
Guardiola confirmed that Haaland would be available to play at St James’ Park after he flew back to Norway to attend a funeral of a close friend.
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