Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Topics: Arsenal, Manchester City, Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola, Football, Premier League
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Arsenal, Manchester City, Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola, Football, Premier League
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has responded to Pep Guardiola's unprompted dig at him following Manchester City's draw with Tottenham.
City were held to a 3-3 draw by Spurs at the Etihad on Sunday on a hugely frustrating evening for Guardiola.
The home side looked to have snatched all three points when Jack Grealish scored his first Premier League goal of the season late on.
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But a superb header from Dejan Kulusevski levelled the scores with just minutes remaining.
City had a late chance when Grealish went clear in the final moments after being set up by Erling Haaland. However, referee Simon Hooper opted to blow his whistle for a foul in the build-up despite initially signalling advantage to City.
Several City players surrounded the referee to express their disbelief at his decision including Haaland, who was furious at full time and now faces potential disciplinary action over a post he made on social media after the game.
Guardiola struggled to hide his frustration in his post-match interviews and somewhat bizarrely opted to aim a dig at Arteta, who he previously worked with at City.
"I will not do a Mikel Arteta comment. The referee will now whistle after saying play on, after the pass then whistles. So I don't know," said Guardiola.
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"We created a lot of chances, we were aggressive. Football is like life, sometimes you don’t get what you deserve. Congratulations to Spurs for the point. That is football."
Arsenal manager Arteta was asked about Guardiola's comment on Monday at his pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday's Premier League clash with Luton.
When asked if he smiled when he saw Guardiola's interview, Arteta laughed awkwardly before replying: "On to the next one please."
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When Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill continued his line of questioning, Arteta added: "I'm not sure. I have enough in my garden and enough on my plate as well. Let's move on."
City's draw leaves the Premier League champions third in the table.
They trail Arsenal by three points, with Liverpool two points behind the Gunners in second.