Guardiola Demands Arteta Clarify “Inside Information” Claim

Pep Guardiola has demanded Mikel Arteta explain his cryptic comment about having “all the information” about Manchester City, following complaints from City players about Arsenal’s use of “dark arts” during their recent 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

Arteta, who served as Guardiola’s assistant at City between 2016 and 2019, responded to a question about City’s accusations with the cryptic statement: “I was there for four years. I have all the information, believe me.” This was widely interpreted as a suggestion that Arteta knows City employ similar tactics, but Guardiola has demanded clarification.

“Did he say that?,” Guardiola asked reporters. “Next time he has to be more clear exactly what does it mean? He said he was here four years and we know exactly what happened here, because it can be related in all the process now with 115 charges; maybe it’s about that. He knows information about that maybe. Hopefully this question has been asked. He can answer exactly what does it mean when he said he was here and I know what’s happening here, and instead of being in the clouds there [points above him] to be more precise.”

The rivalry between City and Arsenal has intensified in recent years, with both teams vying for the Premier League title. While Arteta maintained that their personal relationship wouldn’t be affected by the rivalry, the game at the Etihad saw several heated moments, including Erling Haaland throwing the ball at Gabriel’s head following John Stones’ stoppage-time equalizer.

Guardiola, however, embraced the competitive nature of the rivalry, saying: “I would say that sometimes the emotions are so there. Gabriel said it perfectly in the press conference after the match, so, this is a war, we have here to provoke the opponent, to push them, and at the end, what can you do? So, we have to, okay, you provoke me, okay, I’m there. You want a war? Now we war. The type of challenge that Arsenal challenges, I understand it.”