Pep Guardiola has cranked up the rivalry between Manchester City and Arsenal, warning that the competition between the two Premier League giants has turned into a “war.” This comes after a heated 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, where tempers flared on and off the pitch.
The spark for this tension came from Arsenal defender Gabriel, who responded to Erling Haaland throwing a ball at his head during the match, calling it “a war” and suggesting that provocative acts are just part of the game. Guardiola didn’t take these comments lightly and has now doubled down, hinting that City have been pulled into an intense rivalry by the Gunners.
A Match Full of Drama
The feisty clash saw its fair share of controversy. City managed to salvage a 2-2 draw thanks to a late equalizer from John Stones, but not before key moments shaped the game. Midfielder Rodri suffered a season-ending injury, Leandro Trossard was sent off, and Haaland escaped punishment after launching a ball at Gabriel. Stones even called out Arsenal for their “dirty” tactics after the match.
Guardiola’s War Cry
Guardiola made it clear that the tension isn’t going away anytime soon, firing a warning shot at Arsenal.
“You want a war? Now we war,” the City boss told reporters. “Gabriel said it perfectly in the press after the match, so this is a war. We have to provoke the opponent, to push them, and at the end, what can you do? You provoke me, OK, I’m there.”
It looks like the rivalry between City and Arsenal has hit a whole new level, and all eyes will be on the next time these two sides face off.
