Pep Guardiola invites Mikel Arteta to explain Manchester City’s comments after ill-tempered draw

Pep Guardiola has invited Mikel Arteta to clarify his comments on how he has been at Manchester City for four years and therefore knows what is happening at the club.

The arguments over Sunday’s ill-tempered 2-2 draw between City and Arsenal continued throughout the week, with Arteta being asked on Wednesday for his opinion on several of Guardiola’s players criticizing the north London side’s actions .

When I replied, “I’ve been there before. I was there for four years,” Arteta was asked what he meant, adding: “I have all the information.” So I know. Believe me.”

This was put to Guardiola on Friday and after some confusion over the context he said: “Next time Mikel will have to be clearer about what exactly he means.”

“He said he’s been here four years and we know exactly what happened here. It may be related to 115 charges in the entire trial now, maybe it’s because of that, maybe he knows information about it, or maybe he had something like… I don’t know.

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“Next time, since I have a good relationship with him, hopefully that question will be asked. He can answer exactly what he meant when he said he was here and he knew what was happening here. Instead of floating in the clouds, it can be more precise.”

Arteta joined Guardiola’s backroom team in July 2016 before taking charge of Arsenal in December 2019 (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)

Guardiola was also questioned about Erling Haaland’s behavior during Sunday’s game, when the Norwegian striker threw the ball at Gabriel’s header after City’s equalizer and told Arteta after the final whistle that he should be “humble” as he avoided the physical fight during the 90th minute enjoyed minutes.

“I would say that sometimes there are emotions,” he said. “Gabriel said it perfectly after the game: ‘This is a war, we are here to provoke the opponent, to push them’, and what can you do in the end?

“We have to say, ‘You’re provoking me, okay, I’m here.’ Do you want a war? Now we are at war.’ So what do I have to do? I’m pretty sure he (Haaland) isn’t proud, but listen – I understand the kind of challenge Arsenal are facing.”

On Saturday, City face Newcastle United again, while Arsenal take on Leicester City.

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(Top photo: Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)