Pep Guardiola reveals private text messages with Mikel Arteta after Arsenal battle

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that he remains on good terms with friend and rival coach Mikel Arteta after their head-to-head on Sunday.

The two Premier League title challengers from the last two seasons went up against eachother for the first time this season, playing out an enthralling 2-2 draw marred by officiating controversy and a tactical operation that frustrated the hosts.

Several Manchester City players emerged after the contest annoyed by the manner in which Arsenal defended and attempted to slow the game down in the second-half, hoping to protect a 1-2 lead and claim all three points.

However, a brief lapse in concentration within the Arsenal rearguard saw Manchester City break past their nine-man defence and strike home thanks to John Stones, rescuing a point and seeing the Etihad Stadium erupt in celebration.

Full-time also saw the likes of Erling Haaland go face-to-face with Gabriel Jesus and Mikel Arteta, with the latter being told by the Norwegian striker to “stay humber” in images captured by television broadcasters.

Speaking after Manchester City’s latest outing in the Carabao Cup this week, just 49 hours after the battle against Arsenal, Pep Guardiola was quizzed on whether he remains on good terms with the Arsenal coach despite their differences on Sunday.

“After full-time, we texted each other and the relation doesn’t change absolutely anything,” Guardiola said. “They decided to play that way and it’s more than perfect. I never justify, it’s fine.”

Guardiola continued, “I would not be able to do it, they were brilliant. It’s about us, and how we can break them, and we did it really well in many things.”

“I said to Mikel (Arteta), you did it amazingly. It’s not a problem. Everyone decides because I know the teams and I know the players, they know exactly what they have to do.”

Manchester City remain top of the Premier League after their single point against Arsenal, and two points ahead of the North London club, remaining unbeaten in their opening five matches of the new season.

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City squad will now travel north to face Newcastle United in their next test, with a Premier League meeting between the two sides coming at St James’ Park and scheduled for Saturday afternoon.