Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has defended his buddy and mentee Mikel Arteta, alleging that those who have criticized Mikel Arteta’s touchline behavior are doing so out of jealously.
Before taking over Arsenal, Arteta spent time studying management under Guardiola at Manchester City. When Arsenal visits the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup’s fourth round on Friday, January 27, it will be their first encounter of the year.
Arteta has received criticism for his actions from a number of analysts in recent weeks; most notably, he received a yellow card during Sunday’s dramatic victory over Manchester United.
However, Guardiola, who is renowned for becoming passionate on the sidelines, has supported the Arsenal manager.
Guardiola responded in the affirmative when asked if jealousy played a role in criticism.
“They have to undermine you for another reason when you are at the top of the league.” And they are currently engaged in that. I am extremely familiar with this circumstance.
“He and I both want to defeat him,” I said. I am aware of our personalities, and we are not the best of friends.
From my perspective, I greatly admire him as a person and manager. Even if we start fighting on the sidelines, that won’t alter.
“Sooner or later, I suppose, it will happen, but when it does, it won’t diminish the respect I have for him.”
With one game remaining, Arteta leads Guardiola by five points in the race for the Premier League championship as he tries to give Arsenal its first league title since 2004.
The 40-year-old would have been the ideal replacement for him at City, according to Guardiola.
The Catalan said, “I’m very sure he would be here if I had left before.”
“He would be the best, without a doubt.” I apologize, but I extended the contract. He didn’t wait, thus it was impossible.
Everyone has dreams, and I am aware that he visited the club where he dreams of playing. He played for Arsenal and loves the team, thus he supports them. With the exception of one team, he always stood up to celebrate when we scored a bunch of goals here.
When I leaped up after that, he was still sitting. I remarked, “That guy likes Arsenal,” and it was Arsenal. I’m not the one to tell someone, “You have a contract, you have to stay here.” Fly, life is too short not to.
