Guardiola relishes ‘good rivalry’ with Arsenal, draw ‘very disappointing’ for Arteta

“We have created a good rivalry with Arsenal”commented Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola after the 2-2 draw against the Gunners on Sunday in the Premier League.

“A lot happened in this match, we will have time to analyze it afterwards”the Spanish technician first reacted on Sky Sports, after the shock of the 5th day which keeps his team in the lead. In any case, “We have created a good rivalry with Arsenal. Before it was with Jürgen (Klopp, the former Liverpool coach, editor’s note), now it’s different”he continued.

Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta, former assistant to Guardiola, finished second in the previous two seasons by pushing Manchester City, the four-time defending champion, to the limit. The “Gunners” obtained on Sunday, in an intense encounter in which they played with ten against eleven in the second half, a second consecutive draw at the Etihad after the 0-0 last season. But this one has a bitter taste since they were equalized at 2-2 when the announced injury time was exceeded by a minute.

“They have a lot of personality, but we have it too. There are ninety-nine points left to play. That’s life. We equalized, we deserved it.”Guardiola said.

Mikel Arteta was the more disappointed of the two coaches in front of the Sky Sports camera, where he barely contained his anger towards the referee. Against Manchester City, “It’s already very, very hard against eleven players. With ten, it’s impossible”he said.

“When you have survived for so many minutes, to concede a goal in the last minute like we did, because we had to play 97 minutes, and then 99 (with added time, editor’s note), it’s very disappointing.”Arteta reacted. “But at the same time I can be proud of them and the way they fought today”he added about his players.