Sept 28 (Askume) – Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said on Friday that Arsenal wanted to challenge Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend but the Championship side were ready to take on the challenge.
Hosts Manchester City drew 2-2 with 10-man Arsenal on Sunday. In this game, Manchester City midfielder Rodri injured his anterior cruciate ligament and missed the entire season.
Manchester City top scorer Erling Haaland threw the ball at Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes and had sharp words for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the final whistle, as tensions escalated during a confrontation, and told him to “stay humble”.
Brazilian Gabriel says Arsenal are waiting for him to join Manchester City as the rivalry between the two top sides continued to grow over the past season.
Guardiola told reporters: “What Gabriel said in the media after the game is absolutely correct: this is a war and we are here to provoke the opponents and make them move.”
“After all, what can you do? Are you provoking me? Well, I am right there. You want war? We are going to war now… I understand Arsenal’s challenge.”
Leaders City, who travel to Newcastle United on Saturday, have 13 points from five games, two ahead of Arsenal.
