LONDON - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is confident that fierce battles with Pep Guardiola will not change their friendship as both men battle for the English Premier League title and the FA Cup.
Arteta was Guardiola's assistant for three-and-a-half years at Manchester City before taking charge of the Gunners in 2019.
Since then, he has transformed Arsenal, who have not won a league title for 19 years but now lead defending champions City by five points and have a game in hand on Guardiola's men.
The two sides clash in the first of three meetings in the coming months in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday at the Etihad.
Asked about how he felt about going head-to-head with his fellow Spaniard in the league and FA Cup, Arteta said: "I always hoped this would be the case one day and it is happening this season.
"But that's not going to change any friendship, the moments that we have, how important he is in my life, how important he is in my profession.
"We're both willing to win, defend our clubs in any way. That's always been the case since day one.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin January 27, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin January 27, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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