Has Mikel Arteta woken up the beast inside of Pep Guardiola? | OneFootball

Ever since Manchester City’s 2-all draw with Arsenal last Sunday the fallout from the game has dominated the headlines. There has been no shortage of storylines to emerge from last Sunday’s Premier League encounter at the Etihad. One to emerge from the embargoed section of Pep Guardiola’s pre-game press conference yesterday is, has Mikel Arteta woken up the beast inside ofPep Guardiola?

Pep Guardiola was in fine form during the embargoed section of his pre-game press conference yesterday. The City manager was speaking ahead of today’s clash with Newcastle. But what stood out was Guardiola’s answer to a statement made by Mikel Arteta earlier this week. The Arsenal manager had been speaking about the tactics he employed at the Etihad last weekend. Arteta told the media: “I have been there before, I was there for four years. I have all the information. So I know. Believe me.”

Guardiola appeared unaware of the statement made by Mikel Arteta earlier this week. In his answer, which can be seen below, he didn’t appear at all pleased with Arteta’s statement.

The rivalry between Manchester City and Arsenal appears to be growing and that could bring out the best in Pep Guardiola and his team.

What has been seen previously during Pep Guardiola’s reign at Manchester City is that when the club is under ‘siege’ it usually brings out the best in the City manager and his team. Famously, after the Premier League’s financial charges were laid against Manchester City, Pep Guardiola led his team to the treble. There would appear to be little doubt that the City manager would’ve used those charges and the subsequent coverage of them as fuel to inspire his team that season.

It now appears that Mikel Arteta may have inadvertently given ammunition to Pep Guardiola. Based on Guardiola’s managerial history that might not be the wisest move. During his spell as manager with Barcelona, Guardiola famously clashed with Jose Mourinho, who was the Real Madrid manager at the time. That rivalry inspired both teams and now it appears that Mikel Arteta is beginning to take the place of Jose Mourinho as an adversary to Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.

It does appear that Manchester City and Arsenal’s rivalry could be heading into the territory occupied by Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola’s rivalry at Barcelona and Real Madrid. Arsenal defender Gabriel compared the two teams’ rivalry to ‘war’. Pep Guardiola issued a response to that statement yesterday. He said: “You want a war? Now we war. Gabriel said it perfectly in the press after the match, so this is a war. We have to provoke the opponent, to push them, and at the end, what can you do? You provoke me, OK, I’m there.”

Summary

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal may have inadvertently awoken the beast inside Pep Guardiola. In a game of small margins, both Manchester City and Arsenal will be looking for an advantage over their rival this season. Arteta’s statement about his time at Manchester City may have played into Pep Guardiola’s hands. Time will provide the answer that question. But he has shown previously that he and his team’s are at their best when a rival or scrutiny comes heavy at them. History shows this.

But facing off against a hostile rival isn’t something new to Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. They’ve been down this road before. On the back of their sustained era of success and the famous ‘115 case’ Manchester City have long been public enemy number one. That fact is obvious in the coverage of City’s case and the reactions to their success. But that fact and Arteta’s comments could fuel Pep Guardiola and his team. That isn’t lost on the City manager who made a point of reminding the media of that fact yesterday. It will now be interesting to see how Manchester City and their manager respond to Arteta’s comments. But it is now another interesting subplot to watch unfold this season.