Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a stark warning to Arsenal, foreshadowing "a war" in further encounters after last week's intense match-up which saw passions boil over.
In light of a contentious 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, where John Stones secured a vital stoppage-time equaliser, Guardiola demands a thorough explanation from Mikel Arteta following his ambiguous remarks implying hidden knowledge about City.
The Premier League titans' clash was rife with controversy, culminating in fiery altercations and a notable incident where star striker Erling Haaland flung the ball at Gabriel's head and collided with Thomas Partey.
Guardiola, while showing no support for Haaland's behaviour, expressed empathy, hinting at the escalating rivalry between the squads: "I would say that sometimes the emotions are so there.
"Gabriel said it perfectly after the match, so this is a war, we are here to provoke the opponent, to push them."
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"At the end what can you do? OK, you provoke me I'm there. You want a war? I'll do a war."
Acknowledging the heat-of-the-moment reactions, Guardiola added: "What do I have to do? And after, the emotions are the emotions. I'm pretty sure he's (Haaland) not proud, but listen the type of challenge that Arsenal challenges, I understand it."
Despite the tension, Stones goal was a sweet moment for City who were held off by a 10-man Arsenal side, resorting to deep defence tactics and apparent time-wasting strategies in the second half.
Arsenal's strategic mastery of football's infamous 'dark arts' has drawn fierce condemnation from various City stars.
Arteta, previously the right-hand man to Guardiola at City, responded during the week, hinting at insider knowledge.
"I have been there before," declared Arteta when quizzed about the criticisms. "I was there for four years. I have all the information. So I know, believe me."
Guardiola found himself pondering if Arteta's ambiguous words were aimed at City's tactics or hinting at their current off-pitch saga, as City battle 115 accusations of violating Premier League rules following a probe into their finances.
Addressing media ahead of Saturdays clash with Newcastle, Guardiola challenged: "Next time he has to be more clear exactly what does he mean.
"He said he was here four years and we know exactly what happened here."
"It can be related in all the process now with 115 charges, maybe it's about that. He knows information about that maybe, or maybe he has something like... I don't know.
"OK, next time, like a good relation I have with him, hopefully this question has been asked. He can answer exactly what does it mean when he said he was here and I know what's happening here, and instead of being in the clouds there (points upward) to be more precise."
Guardiola has insisted that his bond with former protege Arteta remains intact, despite the latter's exit in December 2019 to manage Arsenal.
However, there are whispers of tension as Guardiola, when queried about contacting Arteta, admitted: "No because we spoke by text after the game and that's all."
