- Arsenal recorded a 1-0 victory over title rival Man City before the international break
- Mikel Arteta believes the result could change the momentum of the season
- Listen to the latest episode of the Mail Sport podcast ‘It all begins!’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that Pep Guardiola branded his side a ‘great team’ after securing a crucial 1-0 win over his side at Manchester City before the international break.
The Gunners went into halftime on a high after a 12-match losing streak against the European champions in the Premier League.
Gabriel Martinelli’s late deflected goal proved the difference between the two teams in the Emirates earlier this month, with Arsenal celebrating a blow to their rivals in the title race.
Arteta told Men in Blazers podcast that he had spoken to Guardiola after the match, with their much-discussed friendship unaffected by the rivalry between the two teams.
The Arsenal boss, who worked as Guardiola’s assistant before moving to the Emirates, revealed his compatriot had praised his team in the aftermath of the match.
Mikel Arteta, right, revealed that Pep Guardiola had labeled his Arsenal side a ‘great team’
Gabriel Martinelli’s late deflected strike gave Arsenal a narrow lead over their title rivals
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“I spoke to him (Guardiola) after the match,” Arteta said. ‘It’s always like that, it’s very tense, it’s very emotional, a lot happens at that moment, but afterwards the relationship remains intact.
“I lost a lot more than I won against him, but to be honest, in the last two games when we won the Community Shield and now in the league, the feeling is completely different.
‘What I feel for him is admiration and gratitude. Without him I wouldn’t be where I am today.
“(He said) ‘Congratulations, you’re a great team’ and let’s move on.”
Arteta added that he blamed himself for Arsenal missing out on the title last season, with his side’s form dropping off in the final weeks of the season.
‘I’m a terrible loser. “I was really disappointed not to win the title, even though we had a great chance of doing so,” he said.
‘I blamed myself and had to think about whether I am still the right person to take the club to another level.’
The win over Man City saw Arsenal enter the international breakthrough second in the Premier League on goal difference, while north London rivals Tottenham topped the table.
Arteta said the win over Man City could change the momentum of the Premier League season
Arteta suggested the win over Man City could help set the momentum of the season, with the Gunners finishing second to Guardiola last season.
“These games determine the momentum of the season and when it comes to an international breakthrough, that momentum is very important,” Arteta said. Arsenal’s club website.
“We were playing at home, we beat them in the Community Shield and we wanted to see if we had the consistency and level to do it again against the best team in the world.
‘We performed at a very high level both individually and collectively and it was obviously a very special day for everyone.’
Arsenal will hope to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a London derby against Chelsea.
Arteta’s side travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday to take on the Blues, who have won their last three games in all competitions.