Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed suggestions that his relationship with Man City’s Pep Guardiola will be soured by their ongoing rivalry. The two coaches settled for a draw when their teams went head-to-head last Sunday. Manchester City players were not altogether pleased with the way Arsenal sat deep in the game after Leandro Trossard was sent off.
Several players from both sides also had heated exchanges after the game. Arsenal have trailed behind City in second place for two consecutive seasons, heightening the rivalry between the teams. Arteta was Guardiola’s assistant at City before his appointment by Arsenal in 2019.
Responding to questions about their relationship in a press conference today, the Arsenal coach said,
“I love him. I respect him. I admire him and I admire his team and everything that he does. This is sport. One thing is our profession. Another thing is our personal relationship. If our relationship was damaged because one draws and other wins or the amount of times they’ve beaten us, I would not talk to him anymore. So that’s not our relationship, especially the relationship that I consider both of us have. In sport it will never get in my way, a personal relationship. That’s for sure.”
He went on to provide updates about the availability of his players ahead of their crucial home fixture against Leicester. He indicated that Jurrien Timber and Ben White should be available for selection and confirmed that his summer signing Mikel Merino is back in training.
Merino who joined the Gunners for a €37.5 million transfer fee has not made an appearance for the club after breaking his shoulder bone in his first training session at the club. Goal David Raya is also doubtful for the weekend game.
