Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted his friendship with Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola will not be affected by their ongoing title rivalry.
After the 2-2 draw at the Etihad last Sunday, several City players criticised Arteta’s tactics.
The Gunners sat deep after Leandro Trossard’s red card at the end of the first half.
Players from both sides also clashed after the full-time whistle.
Arteta worked under Guardiola at City before taking the role of head coach at Arsenal in 2019.
When he was asked about their relationship during his Friday press conference, Arteta said: “I love him, I respect him, I admire him and I admire his team and everything that he does.
“This is sport. One thing is our profession, another is our personal relationship.
“If our relationship was damaged because one draws and the other one wins or the amount of times that they’ve beaten us, I would not talk to him any more.
“So that’s not our relationship, especially the relationship that I consider both of us have. In sport it will never get in my way, a personal relationship, that’s for sure.”
