The deep bond between Guardiola and Arteta: Confessions before the big Premier League match
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is not normally in the habit of supporting rival managers but made an exception for Mikel Arteta when his compatriot was in danger of being sacked.
Two seasons ago, Arteta was in trouble after Arsenal’s 5-0 defeat to Manchester City, which left them bottom of the league without a point or a goal after three games.
Sensing that his friend and former coach was in serious trouble, Guardiola passionately defended Arteta after the match.
Guardiola said: “I know him very well and the quality he has,” and in the process he was proven right. Arteta has held his own and is now Guardiola’s biggest threat to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title. Arsenal will overtake City if they win the big game at the Emirates on Sunday.
“I REMEMBER THAT GAME”
Guardiola explained for the first time why he was fighting for his Spanish counterpart before the match:
“I remember the game [Ağustos 2021]. We started fairly evenly and after conceding one or two goals things didn’t get any easier for Mikel when Granit Xhaka was sent off. “Normally I am not here to defend my teammates, we respect each other but we are not friends, but with Mikel we feel completely different.”
“ARTETA CONVINCED ME”
‘We worked together here for three years and were very successful. “I was quite convinced of him because I saw his ideas and how he communicated with the players.”
Arteta has since proven that Guardiola was right in his decision. Arsenal recovered from despair to finish the 2021-22 season in fifth place and were City’s closest rivals in the title race last season.
He replaced the old players with a young and energetic team, led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and bolstered his squad with signings such as £105m English midfielder Declan Rice, who was also targeted by City last summer.
“SOMETIMES YOU NEED TIME”
“This is proof that when a club really believes in something and is patient with the coach, it works,” said Guardiola, referring to how correct Arsenal’s decision was to stay with Arteta:
“Sometimes you need time. People at the top of the club should always look at what is being built rather than relying on short-term results to make decisions. They trusted him and now the results are evident. Arsenal already have a coach for many years. Know the club, love the club. “You can’t get anything better than this.”
“Mikel is also a man who demands a lot from the board of directors. He says, ‘Give me money to spend.’ He also has this talent. “Challenge everyone.”
HE WAS A STUDENT OF GUARDIOLA
Arteta was one of Guardiola’s first signings at the Etihad in 2016. The apprentice watched and learned not only from the coach but also from other top coaches such as Rodolfo Borrell. He spent time poring over training in both the youth and first team before becoming more effective.
However, Guardiola does not accept that Arteta is compared to him:
“I don’t see anything like me in him. Our parents are different. I dress better, I have more style. All the success that Mikel has belongs to him and his staff at Arsenal. This is definitely his achievement, not mine. People say he learned a lot from me, but I also learned a lot from him. “He also brought assistant coaches to teach me.”