Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta issues very passionate response after Pep Guardiola left furious

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted he still “loves” Man City boss Pep Guardiola despite his counterpart’s angry comments on Friday. The two have become fierce rivals in recent times, with the Gunners fighting City for the title.

And the rivalry has ramped up even more over the last week or so following the dramatic 2-2 draw between the title rivals at the Etihad.

Following the match, tensions escalated between the two managers. Guardiola criticised Arsenal’s perceived dark arts, to which the Arsenal boss responded by suggesting City have done the same down the years – claiming he has ‘all the information’.

Guardiola then demanded clarity from Arteta, stating: “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. 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.”

However, after Arsenal’s exciting victory against Leicester, Arteta dismissed any issues between him and Guardiola. In a press conference, he reiterated his respect for the City boss, saying: “OK, I can repeat it. I love Pep. I’ve admired him since I was 10 years old.

“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.”

Arsenal and Manchester City now find themselves neck and neck near the top of the Premier League, both with 14 points apiece.

City’s title ambitions sustained a setback with a draw against Newcastle on Saturday, as Josko Gvardiol and Anthony Gordon scored for their respective teams. Meanwhile, Arsenal snatched a last-gasp victory over Leicester.

Arsenal survived an almighty scare as Leicester’s James Justin netted twice to draw level after Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard’s first-half goals. A dramatic own goal by Wilfred Ndidi and a Kai Havertz finish in stoppage time ultimately sealed the win for Arteta’s outfit.

The stage is set for an enthralling encounter when Arsenal clash with City at the Emirates in early February.