Pep Guardiola Warns Arsenal To Prepare For War As Rivalry Intensifies

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has warned Arsenal to expect “a war” as the fallout from last week’s fiery clash between the two clubs continues.

Guardiola has also urged Mikel Arteta, his counterpart, to clarify his cryptic remarks regarding City, in which Arteta claimed to possess “all the information” about the champions.

The Premier League title contenders battled to an exciting 2-2 draw on Sunday, which concluded with heated exchanges following John Stones’ dramatic equalizer for the hosts in stoppage time at the Etihad Stadium.

A fired-up Erling Haaland was in the thick of the arguments after throwing the ball at Arsenal defender Gabriel’s head and then barging into Thomas Partey.

Guardiola said he did not condone the actions of his star striker but could understand them, highlighting a growing antipathy between the two sides.

He said, “I would say that sometimes the emotions are so there. Gabriel said it perfectly after the match: so this is a war; we are here to provoke the opponent, to push them.

“At the end what can you do? OK, you provoke me I’m there. Do you want a war? Now we war.

“What do I have to do? And after, the emotions are the emotions. I’m pretty sure he’s (Haaland) not proud, but listen to the type of challenge that Arsenal challenges; I understand it.”

Stones’ late goal provided relief for City after the Gunners, playing with 10 men, had successfully frustrated them throughout the second half by defending resolutely and wasting time at every opportunity.

Arsenal’s tactics and use of football’s so-called ‘dark arts’ brought some strong criticism from a number of City players.

Arteta, Guardiola’s former number two, hit back at that during the week.

“I have been there before,” Arteta said when asked about the barbs. “I was there for four years. I have all the information. So I know, believe me.”

Guardiola found those comments vague enough to question whether his fellow Spaniard was alluding to City’s tactical strategy or hinting at their high-profile off-field controversies.

City are currently defending themselves against 115 charges of breaching Premier League regulations following an investigation into their financial affairs.

Guardiola, speaking at a press conference to preview Saturday’s game at Newcastle, said, “Next time, he has to be more clear exactly what he means.

“He said he was here four years and we know exactly what happened here.

“It can be related to all the processes now with 115 charges; maybe it’s about that.

“He knows information about that maybe, or maybe he has something like… I don’t know.

“OK, next time, like a good relationship I have with him. Hopefully, this question has been asked. He can answer exactly what it means when he says he was here and I know what’s happening here, and instead of being in the clouds there (points upward) to be more precise.”

Guardiola has maintained he still has a good relationship with Arteta, who left City in December 2019 to take up the Arsenal hotseat, but that could now be becoming strained.

Asked if he intended to call Arteta, Guardiola said: “No, because we spoke by text after the game, and that’s all.”