Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed the ‘Man City secrets’ he knows after being challenged by the club’s manager Pep Guardiola.
We reported earlier that Pep Guardiola has challenged Mikel Arteta to reveal the ‘Man City secrets’ he (Arteta) claims to know following a blistering media row between the two.
Recall the two managers descended into a boiling media row after the ill-tempered 2-2 draw between their teams in the Premier League on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
It all started when Manchester City players accused Arsenal of deploying ‘dark arts’ during the game. Reacting to the ‘dark arts’ accusations, Arteta seemed to infer that he should not be provoked to reveal secrets he knows about the Manchester-based outfit, having worked there as assistant manager for years.
An initially silent Guardiola was apparently unfazed by Arteta’s indicting remarks. He then challenged the 46-year-old to reveal the ‘Man City secrets’ he knows, even if it is connected to the 115 charges by the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Arteta downplayed the bust-up during his Leicester City pre-match press conference. He maintained that his relationship with Pep Guardiola goes beyond sports to deep personal respect for the former boss.
Mikel Arteta on the ‘Man City secrets’ he knows
When asked about the ‘Man City secrets’ after the Leicester City match, Arteta re-emphasized his admiration for Pep.
”I can repeat it very clear: I love Pep,’ Arteta said. ‘I have admired him since I was 10 years old. I respect him profoundly and I’m so grateful for anything he did for me and continues to do for me.
”I consider him to be a friend. I love and respect every member of staff there (at City) because I worked with them for four years.
He went on to clarify that he did not mean to indict the team as the media interpreted it but meant hard from both Pep and the staff, which has led to the team’s successes.
”When I say that “I know them”, I meant I know how hard they work,’ said Arteta. ‘I haven’t seen a human being work as hard as Pep and the coaches and everybody in that football club to be consistently winning.
Hint on 115 Premier League charges on City?
Also, Arteta seemed to downplay suggestions that he was hinting at knowing something about the 115 Premier League charges. He added that Manchester City and Pep Guardiola have only been able to arrive where they are because of their insatiable hunger and drive for success.
”The reason they are there is they maintain the hunger. This is exactly what I’ve learnt and what I meant, so I cannot be more clear than that.”
He also noted the role of the media in trying to damage his relationship with the former boss, emphasizing he can’t control such dynamics but reaffirmed his respect for the club.
”If you want I can repeat it but if someone wants to damage our relationship, that’s not in my hands but that feeling is profound. He knows it, the staff know it because I still maintain (a relationship) with them today, with the board, with the ownership, with everyone.”
Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola rivalry
Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola’s schism did not come as a surprise given the recent rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League.
In the past two seasons, Arteta’s Arsenal have been Manchester City’s strongest challengers in the Premier League title race. City had to fight back twice midway into the Premier League campaign to beat the Gunners to the title.
Ironically, Arteta worked as assistant manager for Pep Guardiola from 2015 to 2019 before joining Arsenal as manager. The former understudy manager at City is now the frontline Premier League tactician, challenging his former boss for the England Championships title.
Despite the seething title battle that seems to have driven a wedge between the two managers, Arteta has ensured he maintained impeccable professional standing as per his relationship with his Pep based on the recent comments.
