Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola, despite their competitive rivalry in the Premier League title race, share a mutual respect for each other. After Arsenal and Manchester City played to a scoreless draw, Arteta couldn’t hide his satisfaction with the result while Guardiola seemed slightly disappointed.
Arteta acknowledged the challenge of facing the best manager in the world in Guardiola, especially when the Gunners only had 28% possession and committed more fouls than City. He emphasized the importance of adapting to different situations, especially against top managers like Guardiola.
On the other hand, Guardiola praised Arsenal’s physicality and defensive structure, recognizing their ability to make things difficult for City. He noted that the match was similar to their previous encounter earlier in the season, where both teams displayed strong defensive performances.
Both managers provided injury updates following the match, with Guardiola confirming that Nathan Ake’s injury is similar to Kyle Walker’s and John Stones will be back soon. Despite the injuries, Guardiola remained optimistic about City’s chances going forward.
In conclusion, while the on-field battle between Arsenal and Manchester City was intense, off the field, Arteta and Guardiola’s mutual respect and admiration for each other were evident, showcasing a professional and competitive relationship between two top managers in the Premier League.
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