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'I respect him and admire him..' - Mikel Arteta on his current friendship status with Pep Guardiola

Football:  Mikel Arteta still maintains the highest regard and affection for fellow Spaniard Pep Guardiola.  I hold him in the highest regard, am incredibly appreciative of all he has done.

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Varun Sarwate
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Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola (Source: Goal.com)

Arsenal and Manchester City, are having fierce rivals for the Premier League title. During the last weekend at the Etihad Arsenal drew 2-2 against Manchester City , with many players on the verge of physical altercations. Mikel Arteta still maintains the highest regard and affection for fellow Spaniard Pep Guardiola, as he has worked under him at Manchetser City before joining Arsenal in 2019, despite several City players criticizing the Gunners' tactics and arguments occurring on the field.

In Sunday's encounter, the Gunners used their goal-kicks for nine minutes and four seconds, the longest of any side in a Premier League match this season. Since then, several City players have criticized the methods, and arguments have also occurred on the field. However, according to Mikel Arteta, his friendship with Guardiola will not suffer as a result of any arguments that occur on the field. 

Even when some Manchester City players criticized the Gunners' strategies and arguments broke out on the field, Arteta remains incredibly respectful for Pep Guardiola.  After collecting a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, Leandro Trossard was removed at the end of the first half. Arsenal was also charged with employing the "dark arts" to win three points.

Arteta was questioned about Pep Guardiola's reaction following Arsenal's thrilling victory over Leicester. In answer, Arteta stated, "I love him [Guardiola]. I respect him and admire him. I admire his team and everything he does." “I love and respect all of the staff there because I worked with them for four years and when I said that I know them, I meant I know how hard they work,” Arteta said.

"It's quite simple. Don't take it personally. It's part of our job. The things that you really care about, make sure you handle them in the right way. That relationship I really care about." I hold him in the highest regard, am incredibly appreciative of all he has done and still does for me, and think of him as a friend.

Manchester City and Arsenal tied with same points

The north London team tied City on points after they defeated Leicester 4-2 at Emirates Stadium on Saturday when City drew to Newcastle. Following the events of the weekend, Arsenal and City are currently tied for secondplace in the Premier League. Both teams have 14 points, with City having a little advantage due to goal differential. In the Champions League, they will next play Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. 

English Premier League Manchester City Arsenal Pep Guardiola Mikel Arteta football
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