Pep Guardiola cites jealousy for criticism of Mikel Arteta behaviour and warns of long-term Arsenal competition

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has cited jealousy as being the reason behind recent criticism over Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s touchline behaviour.

The Arsenal boss has recently come under fire for being overly enthusiastic when it comes to protesting officiating decisions made against his side in recent matches, as his side take on a Premier League title pursuit against his former colleague.

The former Manchester City assistant coach recently picked up a yellow card for his protests during Arsenal’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

However, his opponent this week – Pep Guardiola – has stated that the only reason behind the criticism of Arteta’s behaviour is jealousy of Arsenal’s fantastic form so far this season.

Speaking prior to the two clubs meeting in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night, the Manchester City boss said, “When you can’t catch the top of the league, they (the critics) have to underestimate you for another reason. They are doing that right now. I know quite well this situation.”

While onlookers often credit Pep Guardiola for inspiring Mikel Arteta to managerial greatness and success with Arsenal, the City boss stresses that he did not teach his counterpart the passion and behaviour that he is currently showing on the Emirates’ touchline.

“Anything can happen on the touchline in the moments of the game. I taught him (Mikel Arteta) a few, few, few, few things, but this comes from himself, his mum and dad,” Guardiola explained. “His character, it was already here.”

He continued, “From what I know of him from the time that we were together, I had the feeling that what he is doing is not fake. It’s him. Making training sessions, in the game, always complaining to referees, whatever, there; being an assistant coach. It is what it is. After that, I don’t judge, everyone is everyone and sometimes I behave in this way as well.”

Pep Guardiola has also hinted towards Arsenal having the potential to challenge the rest of the Premier League for top-flight glory in the long-term, highlighting the club’s financial strength, as well as their position in regards to managerial and playing staff.

“How are you going to react if you win, just in case they (Arsenal) win titles? Will it be the same players, will it be the same manager? New players are coming, they are going to play, the players who won the titles now, ‘Oh now I don’t play. That’s wrong. I will have this new role’. It’s different. There are many, many things,” Pep Guardiola said.

“They have the potential as a club, as a manager, potential sustainability, economically, the finances, they can do it (long-term), yes. If it’s going to happen, I don’t know. Not even you, when I arrived here, after the first season we didn’t win, the second we won, and I didn’t know. Not even now, I don’t know tomorrow. Imagine talking about Arsenal in the future!”

Manchester City will be hoping to make it three consecutive wins in a matter of days, following on from a torrid short run of form that saw that exit the Carabao Cup at the quarter-final stage, and fall to a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United.

Prior to Friday night’s Emirates FA Cup clash against Arsenal, Manchester City have defeated Tottenham via a 4-2 scoreline, and saw Erling Haaland notch his fourth hat-trick of the campaign in a 3-0 win over Wolves last weekend.