Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, has revealed what he told Pep Guardiola after Manchester City won the Premier League title last weekend.
Man City won the Premier League for the third time in a row after Arsenal lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Up until that moment, the title had been a two-horse race, which the Gunners had led for a total of 248 days. However, their form deteriorated towards the end of the season, and Guardiola’s City’s 4-1 triumph over their title rivals at the Etihad Stadium decisively tipped the balance in their favor.
Arsenal bounced back with victories over Chelsea and Newcastle, but they were still dependant on City failing.
That did not occur, as Arteta’s team’s 3-0 home defeat to Brighton effectively ended their title challenge with two games remaining.
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Even a win over Forest would not have kept Arsenal in the race, as City’s 1-0 win over Chelsea the next day would have secured their third consecutive Premier League title.
Arteta has finally stated his reaction to his colleague’s achievement.
Arteta reveals Guardiola call
Arteta and Guardiola previously worked together at the Etihad Stadium, with Arteta serving as a first team coach under Guardiola.
He chose to quit City in December 2019 to become Arsenal manager, and it hasn’t been until this season that he has faced off against the ex-Barcelona manager in the context of the Premier League title battle.
Despite the disappointment of failing to win the title this season, Arteta made a point of publicly and privately recognizing Guardiola and his accomplishment.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he explained: “For sure, I called him to congratulate him, him and his staff, because people maybe think that things happen and they are granted for them. They have to work so hard for them.
“I know all the hours they put in, how much they suffer and how much they have to think and think, and try to promote always that winning mentality that they are doing.
“At the end, you have to say congratulations. It is a sport. He’s a really good friend of mine. It’s not only that I respect him, but I admire him as a person and as a professional.
“When you haven’t reached [your goal], you have to take a lot of positive things that we have done in the season and how far we have come. And for sure, some learnings as well to be better.”
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