Relating to last week's fixture at the Etihad, Manchester City's Gaffer Pep Guardiola acknowledged the growing rivalry between his team and the Gunners. Both teams clashed in a nail-biting 2-2 draw which showed the competitive nature of the two Title contenders.

In a pivotal moment, City’s striker Erling Haaland threw the ball at Arsenal defender Gabriel, igniting heightened tension on the pitch. City defenders John Stones and Kyle Walker accused Arsenal of using underhanded tactics like 'dark arts' to maintain their narrow 2-1 lead in the second half. Nevertheless, Stones himself ultimately delivered a vital equalizer deep into added time, securing a crucial point for City in the eighth minute of stoppage time.

After being intentionally hit by Erling Halland with the Soccer Ball, Arsenal's defender Gabriel called the Fixture to be a battle, a war and hence justified the provocative actions from players of both sides. The defender also added that his side can't wait to host the city in their backyard.

"It’s a battle, a war, so it’s normal to have provocative acts in football; it’s part of the game," Gabriel said

In response to allegations of using the 'dark arts,' Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta addressed the issue on Tuesday. He referenced his three-and-a-half years as Guardiola's assistant at City until December 2019, asserting his position on the matter. "I was there for four years. I have all the information, so I know, believe me," Arteta said.

Pep wanted a clear response 

Guardiola responded to Arteta's statements saying, "Next time Mikel has to be more clear about exactly what he means, he said he was here four years and knows exactly what happened here. That can be related to the process now with 115 charges, maybe he knows information about that? Or maybe he had something like, I don't know…? Hopefully this question has been asked and he can answer exactly what he means." 

Guardiola believed Halland was not proud of his actions but asserted, he understood the actions that culminated in such an act. "I would say that sometimes the emotions are there, I'm pretty sure [Haaland] is not proud, but listen, the type of Arsenal challenges, I understand it," Pep said

An intensified Rivalry 

The rivalry between City and Arsenal has grown in recent years. Last season Arsenal finished in second place, five points behind City.

The next encounter between Arsenal and City is scheduled for 1 February in the Premier League, with the possibility of facing each other in one of the domestic cup competitions before then.