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Arteta and Guardiola appear to be directing press conference digs at each other

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Arteta and Guardiola appear to be directing press conference digs at each other

Arteta and Guardiola appear to be directing press conference digs at each other

Mikel Arteta’s friendship with Pep Guardiola appears to be a little less friendly at the moment, with the two appearing to have little criticism of each other during this week’s press conferences.

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (L) and Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) look on during the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London, August 6, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK /AFP via Getty Images)Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (L) and Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) look on during the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London, August 6, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK /AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (L) and Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) look on during the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London, August 6, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK /AFP via Getty Images)

Although they are currently rivals on matchdays, Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola have always insisted they remain friendly off the field of play.

Speaking at a recent press conference, Arteta said: “I love him, I respect him and I admire him, his team and everything he does. This is a sport – one is our profession, the other is our personal relationship.”

However, some cracks may have started to show this week after Arsenal’s fiery encounter at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (L) and Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta after the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England, on October 17, 2020. (Photo by Michael Regan / POOL / AFP)Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (L) and Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta after the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England, on October 17, 2020. (Photo by Michael Regan / POOL / AFP)

Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (L) and Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta after the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England, on October 17, 2020. (Photo by Michael Regan / POOL / AFP)

At his press conference ahead of Arsenal’s match against Leicester City, Arteta suggested that he would rather his opponents be angry with him for a good result than pat him on the back and praise his team after a defeat – something which Guardiola has often done.

“I want to win the way we prepare the games and the way we want to play, certainly in our way, but understanding the context,” Arteta began.

“I much prefer this to someone clapping my back after the game and saying ‘well done, you’re on the right track’ than seeing this reaction.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at the Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

But it wasn’t those comments that got under Guardiola’s skin. Instead, it was another press conference, where Arteta said he knew how City itself deals with the ‘dark arts’ in football, having been at the club for four years.

“Well, next time Mikel should be clearer,” Guardiola said. “Next time he should be clearer about what exactly he means.

“Because it could be related to the trial now with 115 charges, maybe it’s about that, maybe he knows the information about that. Or maybe something like… I don’t know, because next time I need to see more clearly what exactly happened.

“Next time, because of the good relationship I have with him, hopefully this question will be asked and he can answer exactly what it means.”

The situation is likely to ease up now as Arsenal will not play Manchester City again until February – barring a cup draw.

But after many pleasantries between the two in the past, things now seem to be bubbling just under the surface.