Pep Guardiola's seven-word message to Arsenal star ramps up Man City tensions
Manchester City and Arsenal repeated clashed during their 2-2 draw at the Etihad earlier this month and Pep Guardiola has now declared "war", claiming his side have been provoked by their rivals
by Matthew Cooper · The MirrorPep Guardiola has warned Arsenal they have provoked Manchester City into a "war" following their ill-tempered 2-2 draw.
City and Arsenal shared the spoils when they clashed at the Etihad earlier this month, with a late John Stones goal rescuing a point for the defending champions after Leandro Trossard was sent off in the first-half.
Erling Haaland celebrated the goal by throwing the ball at the head of Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes and it was one of several flashpoints in the game. When asked about his clash with Haaland after the match, Gabriel said: "It's normal, they were happy after scoring in the last minute.
"They were playing at home, so their duty was to win the match, but our team did really well to resist. It's a battle, a war, so it's normal to have provocative acts in football, it's part of the game. Now this is over and we are waiting for them at our ground."
And Guardiola has now responded to Gabriel's comments, declaring: "You want a war? Now we war." The City boss told reporters on Friday: "I would say that sometimes the emotions are so there.
"Gabriel said it perfectly after the match, so this is a war, we are here to provoke the opponent, to push them. At the end what can you do? OK, you provoke me – I'm there. You want a war? Now we war.
"What do I have to do? And after, the emotions are the emotions. I'm pretty sure he's (Haaland) not proud, but listen – the type of challenge that Arsenal challenges, I understand it."
Guardiola also responded to comments from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who claimed: "I was there for four years. I have all the information." When asked about Arteta's statement, Guardiola hit back: "Next time he has to be more clear exactly what does he mean.
"He said he was here four years and we know exactly what happened here. It can be related in all the process now with 115 charges, maybe it’s about that. He knows information about that maybe, or maybe he has something like… I don't know.
"OK, next time, like a good relation I have with him, hopefully this question has been asked. He can answer exactly what does it mean when he said he was here and I know what's happening here, and instead of being in the clouds there (points upward) to be more precise."
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