Pep Guardiola has denied there is a rift between him and Mikel Arteta as Arsenal prepare to host Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in the English Premier League on Sunday.
Arteta was Guardiola’s assistant at City for three-and-a-half years before taking charge at Arsenal in 2019.
The two teams have gone head-to-head for the Premier League title in the last two seasons with City emerging tops on both occasions.
Following the 2-2 draw at the Etihad in September, the relationship between the two managers appeared strained after Arteta suggested he had all the information about City’s use of dark arts.
But when asked what their relationship is like, Guardiola said in Friday’s press conference: “Exceptional. With him and his family. We’re not in touch much because we have business but the respect that we have is always there.”
Ahead of this weekend’s clash, Guardiola will remain without Jeremy Doku, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake.
The Premier League champions were without the injured trio midweek with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri still a long-term absentee.
Meanwhile, Oscar Bobb is back training with the team after his layoff.
On Friday, City were drawn with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 play-offs.
The Cityzens rescued their Champions League hopes thanks to a 3-1 comeback win against Club Brugge on Wednesday.
Reacting to the play-offs draw, Guardiola said: “It looks like a derby already, we’ve played them [Real Madrid] four years in a row… Bayern [Munich] or [Real] Madrid, it was always going to be tough. Hopefully, we can arrive at the time in a good moment.”
