Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, feels that a rivalry has now developed in the Premier League between his team and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Remarks were made after an incredible match at the Etihad Stadium, when the league leaders Manchester City almost avoided defeat by winning a late draw with a close-range goal from substitute John Stones in the eighth minute of extra time.
The match got off to a rough start, with Arsenal players clearly focusing their challenges on Manchester City’s Rodri. The visitors, in particular, displayed a number of muscular one-on-one confrontations and football dark arts.
Leandro Trossard’s dismissal for angrily kicking the ball away at the conclusion of the first half escalated tensions, and following Manchester City’s late equalizer, players continued to yell and exchange heated words until the final whistle.
After Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, Pep Guardiola was eager to express his satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, especially with how his team started the match.
Yes, I thought Manchester City’s start was good. We were close and had a good build-up after the injury and subsequent disruptions, according to Guardiola.
It’s not easy against them because they are so good, and after we made, I would say, attacking deep, and we conceded a goal with… a little bit of a situation. But to be able to score two goals against Arsenal is not easy.”
Continuing on whether Manchester City’s battles with Arsenal are now rivalling the clashes with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool over the years, Guardiola explained, “We create a good rivalry against Arsenal, it was before with Jurgen [Klopp’s Liverpool], and now it’s there.
“It’s a different way. We started the game how we started, a little bit delayed after two seconds. Many things [happened], they have personality, but we have it too. 99 points left, many things happen, and at the end we equalised because we deserved it.”
Manchester City have little time to reflect on the performance, returning to action in the Carabao Cup third round against Watford on Tuesday night, with the Hornets travelling to the Etihad Stadium for a contest just 49 hours after the conclusion of the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Newcastle United will be Manchester City’s next opponents in the Premier League, making the trip north to St James’ Park on Saturday lunchtime in their ongoing bid to remain unbeaten in the division this season.
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