In a passionate and emotional press conference, Pep Guardiola opened up about what he described as a deeply personal betrayal by Mikel Arteta. The Manchester City manager accused his former assistant, now Arsenal’s head coach, of swooping in to hijack a deal for an £80 million forward who was close to joining City.
“This is painful,” Guardiola confessed. “My team is struggling, and Arteta knows this.” He hinted that FIFA’s involvement might be necessary to address what he called an “unfair” move.
The tensions between the two former colleagues have escalated, with Guardiola’s emotional outburst underscoring the fierce competition in the Premier League transfer market. Arteta’s success in securing the deal, despite City’s prior negotiations, reflects Arsenal’s growing stature and influence in the league.
Guardiola concluded with a cryptic remark, stating, “I won’t say more until the appropriate authorities step in, but this cuts deep.”
This latest development has added a dramatic layer to the already intense rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester City.
