Arsenal manager shrugs off Pep Guardiola’s ‘will not do a Mikel Arteta’ comment after City-Spurs draw
Mikel Arteta has decided to shrug off Pep Guardiola using his name in a hilarious fashion after Manchester City’s 3-3 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, December 3.
In the dying moments of the game, City were denied clear chance on goal as referee Simon Harper decided to pull back play after a foul on Erling Haaland in the buildup to the move. The official had initially played on as Haaland recovered and passed the ball to Jack Grealish, who appeared to be through on goal.
The decision sparked a lot of angry reaction from the City players, including Erling Haaland, who would confront the referee after the match.
After the game, Guardiola said he wouldn’t make an ‘Arteta’ comment as he failed to understand why Harper decided to call the foul.
“Next question. I will not do a Mikel Arteta comment. It is hard when you review the image, the referee decides to blow the whistle after he has already said to play on. After the pass, the whistle, so I do not understand this action,” said Guardiola.
Last month, Arteta called the VAR decision during his side’s 0-1 loss against Newcastle United an “absolute disgrace”, following which he was charged with misconduct by the FA. This was the comment that was referenced by Guardiola in his reaction on Sunday.
Arteta was quizzed about it during the press conference on November 4. The Spaniard, who had worked alongside Guardiola at City in the past, decided to laugh it off and said:
“On to the next one please.”
Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League table with 33 points, three ahead of City, who are in the third spot.