Guardiola launches attack on Arsenal: ‘I have all the respect for what they are on the pitch, not much off it’

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has launched a stinging attack at Arsenal, saying that while he has a lot of respect for them on the pitch, there’s ‘not much’ for off it.

Guardiola’s comments came after their defeat to the Gunners in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, but the reasons for the attack are believed to be far more deep-rooted.

City’s hierarchy were angered by the manner in which Arsenal conducted themselves in the pursuit of Mikel Arteta – the then Man City assistant manager – whom they had earmarked as a potential successor to Guardiola.

But more recently, it is understood that Arsenal were one of a group of eight Premier League clubs who approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding Man City’s then impending Champions League ban.

CAS would eventually overrule Uefa’s ban – sparked by alleged FFP breaches – but Arsenal, along with Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Leicester, Wolves and Burnley – are believed to have approached CAS urging them not to delay the suspension pending City’s appeal.

Guardiola last week told clubs to stop ‘whispering’ about City, and their latest outburst seems to have been sparked both by this and residual tensions from Arteta’s appointment as Arsenal manager in December 2019.

Guardiola said: “We didn’t play the first half against Arsenal like the second, that was the only regret. We wanted to play 90 minutes like the second half.".

“But, after we were beaten, we shake hands. The opponents always deserve my respect and credit. And Arsenal, I have all the respect for what they are on the pitch, not much off the pitch – but on the pitch, a lot. Congratulations to them and good luck in the final.”

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