Pep Guardiola believes the criticism targeted at Mikel Arteta is jealousy.
Man City manager has defended his former assistant Mikel Arteta after his touchline antics has been criticised throughout the season.
The Spaniard is very animated on the touchline and has picked up a yellow card during Sunday’s win over Manchester United.
Manchester City faced Arsenal for the first team this season in the FA Cup and won 1-0 at their home ground.
Guardiola has backed the Arsenal boss and claims jealousy is the reason for the criticism targeted at him over touchline behaviour.
‘Absolutely,’ Guardiola said when asked if jealousy was a factor in criticism. ‘When you are top of the league they have to undermine you for another reason. And they are doing that right now. I know this situation quite well.
‘He wants to beat me and I want to beat him. I know how we both are and in defeat we are not the best friends in the world.
‘From my point of view I have a huge respect for him as a person, as a manager. That’s not going to change if we’re going to fight on the touchline.’
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