Arteta ready to ‘go to war’ with old friend Guardiola as Arsenal chase first title in 22 years | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said he is prepared to go to war with old friend Pep Guardiola in the Premier League title race.

Arsenal are four points clear at the top of the Premier League table as the Gunners pursue a first league title in 22 years. The North London side have finished three consecutive campaigns as runners-up and are pushing to go one better and end their title drought in 2025-26.

Arteta has twice missed out on the title toManchester City, who are Arsenal's nearest challengers in this season's race. The Spaniard spent time on the coaching staff at Manchester City, working alongside Guardiola, prior to his appointment as Arsenal manager in 2019,

The two have since become direct rivals but Arteta insists he can differentiate between friendship and competitive rivalry.

Speaking ahead ofArsenal's clash with Leeds this weekend, Arteta was asked how his rivalry with Guardiola compares to the iconic managerial battles between ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"That relationship was different, I have known Pep since I was 15 and I lived four and a half years with him every single day," Arteta said.

"It is different. I'm sure Pep had a great relationship with Enzo [Maresca], and they worked together and can still be rivals.

"The same will happen with players. I had players here and then I have to play against them. Against Granit [Xhaka], I love Granit but if I have to play on the pitch we go to war because I know how he is as well."

Guardiola recently brandedArsenal as 'the best team in the world', underlining Manchester City's challenge to catch the league leaders.

Arteta dismissed suggestions that Guardiola's comments were an attempt at mind games as the teams tussle for the title.

"(Mind games) With me? I don't think so," he added.

"We talk generally, he talks about how he feels and that's it. If there are mind games, there are mind games. I don't pay too much attention, we just have to go on the pitch and deliver."