Man City Vs Arsenal: Guardiola Sends Warning To Arteta Ahead Of Premier League Clash

Pep Guardiola sent Mikel Arteta a tongue-in-cheek warning about facing him as a manager prior to him leaving to take the Arsenal job.

At the time, Arteta was working under Guardiola as his assistant at Manchester City, but was strongly linked with the Gunners job following Unai Emery’s dismissal.


Arteta would later take the job and begin his own career as a solo boss, knowing that he would one day have to take on his illustrious mentor in the Premier League.

Next Wednesday, Manchester City play host to Arsenal with the match marking the first time the two managers take their places in opposite dugout.


It will be one of Arteta’s biggest tests to date as a boss, and the Spaniard will know full well that his mentor will not be looking to go easy on him.


Pep Guardiola sent Mikel Arteta a tongue-in-cheek warning



In fact, Guardiola warned this wouldn’t be the case when asked to comment on Arteta being linked to the Arsenal job, before he accepted it.

“If he decides to move I’ll wish him all the best, for him, his family and for his professional future,” said Guardiola, adding: “I will beat him – that’s a joke!

“He was honest with me, he explained everything that happened, the steps but after that I didn’t ask what you want to do.


Arteta worked under Guardiola as his assistant at Manchester City


“I don’t want to be involved. I am a guy that [lets] the people live with freedom.

“I said many times, it’s the same with the players, if they have other desires or wishes whatever, what can we do? We are not going to tell him ‘stay, stay, stay’, if he doesn’t want to stay.


“He knows exactly what we think about him, at the club, after that, we cannot do more. I think the club has done everything and we cannot do anymore.”