Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that his rivalry with Arsenal has reached a new level of intensity following their dramatic 2-2 Premier League draw at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.
The high-stakes match, marred by heated moments, has continued to generate headlines, with Guardiola and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta exchanging pointed remarks as tensions between the two clubs simmer.
A Clash Filled with Controversy
The match itself saw several flashpoints, with perhaps the most notable incident involving City striker Erling Haaland, who threw the ball at Arsenal defender Gabriel’s head following City’s stoppage-time equalizer. This act of frustration set the tone for the post-match discussions, as players from both teams pointed fingers.
City’s John Stones and Kyle Walker were vocal after the game, accusing Arsenal of resorting to “dark arts” to maintain their 2-1 lead at halftime. Stones, who came on as a substitute, played a crucial role in rescuing a point for City with his scrambled goal in the eighth minute of added time.
Guardiola Responds: ‘This is a War’
Speaking on Friday, Guardiola didn’t shy away from acknowledging the growing intensity of the rivalry, fueled in part by Arsenal’s resurgence as a title contender. The City boss took exception to the physicality of the game and the provocations on the pitch, notably Haaland’s altercation with Gabriel.
“You want a war? Now we war,” Guardiola declared. “Gabriel said it perfectly in the press after the match, so this is a war. We have to provoke the opponent, to push them, and at the end, what can you do? You provoke me, OK, I’m there.”
Brazilian centre-back Gabriel had echoed similar sentiments post-match, framing the game as a battle. “It’s a battle, a war, so it’s normal to have provocative acts in football, it’s part of the game. Now this is over and we are waiting for them at our ground,” Gabriel said.
Arteta Responds to “Dark Arts” Allegations
On Tuesday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta addressed the accusations from City’s camp regarding the Gunners’ use of unsportsmanlike tactics. Arteta, who worked under Guardiola as an assistant at City for three-and-a-half years until December 2019, took the opportunity to remind his former boss of their shared experiences.
“I was there for four years. I have all the information, so I know, believe me,” Arteta said cryptically, referring to his time at City, suggesting he was well aware of City’s approach to the game.
Guardiola, in his Friday press conference, didn’t hold back in responding to Arteta’s comments, challenging him to clarify his insinuations. “Next time Mikel has to be more clear about exactly what he means,” Guardiola said.
“He said he was here four years and knows exactly what happened here. That can be related to the process now with 115 charges, maybe he knows information about that? Or maybe he had something like, I don’t know…? Hopefully this question has been asked and he can answer exactly what he means.”
Guardiola’s mention of the 115 charges refers to the Premier League’s ongoing investigation into City for alleged breaches of financial rules. City is currently in the midst of a hearing to address these allegations.
Arteta Downplays the Spat
While Guardiola’s words hinted at a brewing feud, Arteta attempted to distance himself from any personal conflict, emphasizing the mutual respect he and Guardiola share. Speaking at the same time as Guardiola’s press conference, the Arsenal boss expressed his admiration for his former mentor.
“I love him, I respect him and I admire him,” Arteta said. “I admire his team and everything that he does. This is sport. One thing is our profession, another is our personal relationship.”
Arteta insisted that their relationship remains unaffected by the competitive nature of their jobs, adding: “If our relationship was damaged because one draws and the other one wins, or [because of] the amount of times that they’ve beaten us, I would not talk to him anymore.”
Arteta concluded by reaffirming that “sport will never get in the way of a personal relationship, that’s for sure.”
A Rivalry Fueled by Title Battles
The growing rivalry between Manchester City and Arsenal has been largely driven by their title battles over the past two seasons. In 2022-23, Arsenal had an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League in April, only to see City storm back and claim the title.
A similar scenario unfolded last season when the Gunners, once again leading the table in April, faltered and allowed City to take the championship.
The latest clash between the two clubs, defined by Haaland’s controversial act and City’s late equalizer, highlighted the competitive edge that now characterizes their meetings. Many pundits have criticized Haaland’s behavior, with some even suggesting the Norwegian forward should face a suspension for his actions.
Guardiola, while acknowledging that emotions ran high, defended Haaland’s response to Arsenal’s tough challenges. “I would say that sometimes the emotions are there,” Guardiola remarked. “I’m pretty sure [Haaland] is not proud, but listen, the type of Arsenal challenges, I understand it.”
The Road Ahead
The rivalry is set to continue, with the two teams scheduled to face each other again in the Premier League on February 1, 2024. However, they could meet sooner in one of the domestic cup competitions, promising more high-intensity encounters between two of the league’s top teams.
As tensions between Guardiola and Arteta continue to bubble beneath the surface, all eyes will be on how the relationship between these former colleagues evolves amidst their fierce competition.
