Pep Guardiola Reveals That Former Assistant Mikel Arteta Never Celebrated Goals Against Arsenal

“I said many times to my players and staff. I had many assistant coaches and I said I don’t want anyone who doesn’t agree with me. We felt if one team could offer him to be manager he would leave,” he said about Arteta.

Guardiola added: “It could happen one or two years before, it didn’t happen. I am not a guy to say no you have to stay with me. Everyone has dreams.

“I know he went to his club, the team he dreams of. He’s a supporter, for the fact he played there, he was a captain there. He loves the club.

“I remember when we were together here when we score goals, he jumps a lot and celebrates except one team. One team every time we score a goal, I jump, look back, and he was sitting there. It was Arsenal. It was that moment I said that guy likes Arsenal.”

"In that moment I said – that guy, he loves Arsenal" ❤️

Pep Guardiola says Mikel Arteta never celebrated against Arsenal when he was at Manchester City 😌 pic.twitter.com/rVaJYMjlZo

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 26, 2023

Of course, it will come as no surprise to many that Arteta always held a place in his heart for Arsenal.

The Spaniard made 150 appearances in all competitions for the club between 2011 and 2016. He also had a spell captaining the Gunners at the Emirates.

After a worrying start to his managerial career at Arsenal, Arteta has turned it around and has made his Gunners side a formiddable force in English football.

Arteta’s side remain top of the Premier League table, and he’ll certainly be looking to get one over his former boss.