Mikel Arteta has said he doesn’t take Erling Haaland‘s “stay humble” jibe personally and insisted he retains a positive relationship with Pep Guardiola despite an escalating rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester City.
The Gunners host City at Emirates Stadium on Sunday just over four months on from the reverse fixture, which ended with John Stones’ 97th-minute equaliser earning Guardiola’s team a 2-2 draw.
An angry confrontation followed at the final whistle in which Haaland told Arteta to “stay humble” before exchanging words with Gabriel Jesus as the teams came together.
Asked to reflect on what Haaland said at the time, Arteta said on Friday: “I don’t take anything personally. What happens on the pitch for me and since I’ve been a player stays there. It is full of emotions and things there. I just leave it aside and move on.”