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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that his rivalry with Arsenal has intensified following their recent Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium. The match ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, with tensions running high between the two title contenders.
One of the key flashpoints occurred when City’s striker, Erling Haaland, threw the ball at Arsenal defender Gabriel, sparking further friction on the pitch. City defenders John Stones and Kyle Walker accused Arsenal of employing the “dark arts” to protect their narrow 2-1 lead during the second half. However, Stones himself would go on to score a crucial equaliser deep into added time, salvaging a point for City in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
Reflecting on the heated exchanges, Gabriel remained defiant, saying, “It’s a battle, a war, so it’s normal to have provocative acts in football; it’s part of the game.” He added that Arsenal is now eagerly awaiting the rematch on home turf, ready to reignite the growing rivalry.
Speaking to the reporters, as quoted by BBC, Guardiola would hit out at Arsenal and claim that he was ready to have a war with them.
“You want a war? Now we war,” said Guardiola.
“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.”
Mikel has to be more clear
Guardiola also took a swipe at Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who had claimed that he knew what had happened at City as he was there for 3 and a half years. Arteta had responded to the question about ‘dark arts’ that Arsenal had used in the game against City.
Guardiola told that Arteta needs to be more clear about what he actually means and should answer it properly next time.
“Next time Mikel has to be more clear about exactly what he means.”
“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 knowâæ?”
“Hopefully this question has been asked and he can answer exactly what he means.”
City and Arsenal will lock horns at the Emirates stadium on February 1, 2025.
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