"Exactly what does he mean?” - Pep Guardiola hits back at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta following comments on Manchester City's 115 charges
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hit back at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta following the Spaniard's comments on the Cityzens. The Gunners' boss made the headlines with his comment that he has 'all the information' regarding his former employers.
Arsenal and Manchester City locked horns last week (September 22) in the Premier League which resulted in a 2-2 draw. The game had its fair share of controversies and the battle has now transcended beyond the pitch.
Mikel Arteta, who was the Sky Blues' assistant manager between 2016 and 2019 under Guardiola, said, as quoted by The Independent:
“I have been there before. I was there for four years. I have all the information. So I know, believe me.”
Pep Guardiola was asked to remark on Arteta's statement and the former Barcelona manager demanded more clarity from his compatriot. With many people assuming Arteta was referring to Manchester City's alleged 115 charges, Guardiola has sought more precise comments from the Arsenal manager. The former Bayern Munich manager said, as quoted by The Independent:
“Next time he has to be more clear exactly what does he mean. He said he was here four years and we know exactly what happened here. It can be related in all the process now with 115 charges, maybe it’s about that."
Guardiola added:
“He knows information about that maybe, or maybe he has something like… I don’t know. OK, next time, like a good relation I have with him, hopefully this question has been asked. "
The six-time Premier League-winning manager concluded:
"He can answer exactly what does it mean when he said he was here and I know what’s happening here, and instead of being in the clouds there (points upward) to be more precise.”
Manchester City are leading the Premier League table after five games with 13 points and will be up against Newcastle United on Saturday, September 28. Meanwhile, Arsenal are fourth with 11 points and will host Leicester City on the same day.
Former Manchester United striker opens up on the title race predicting a 3-horse race between Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool
Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has backed Manchester City to win the Premier League title for the fifth consecutive season. However, the former France international reckons that Arsenal and Liverpool are going to give a strong fight to Pep Guardiola's side.
Saha insisted that both the Gunners and the Reds have what it takes to challenge for the title but Manchester City remain the favorites. He told cryptocasinosuk.net:
"Both Arsenal and Liverpool can challenge Manchester City, but you have to say that City are the favourites. City have the best squad, the best striker and they have a wonderful collection of defenders. They have an arrogance about them because they’ve done it all before and they also have stability."
Saha added:
"When you put all of those things together, it’s worth an extra five points over the course of a season. You never hear anything about players being unhappy or discontent behind-the-scenes."
Arsenal and Liverpool were very much in the race for the Premier League title last season too. However, they fell short in the closing stages as Pep Guardiola's side went on to win their fourth back-to-back title.