'I can't control it' - Mikel Arteta hits out at attempts to 'damage' Pep Guardiola friendship as furore continues after feisty clash between Man City and Arsenal

After the blockbuster Premier League clash between Arsenal and City last Sunday, personnel from both teams got involved in a war of words. John Stones was the first one to launch an attack as he claimed Arsenal used 'dark arts' as he slammed them for 'parking the bus' in the second half.

Arteta in turn, issued a warning towards the reigning champions as he claimed that he has all the information about his former club, where he spent three and a half seasons as assistant coach to Guardiola. Earlier on Saturday, Guardiola hit back at the Gunners boss as he urged his former assistant to clarify his inside 'information' comment.

Now explaining his earlier statement, Arteta once again issued a fiery response as he told reporters: "OK, I can repeat it. I love Pep. I’ve admired him since I was 10 years old. I respect him profoundly. I’m so grateful for everything he does and see him as a friend. When I say I know them it means I know how hard they work.

"The reason they are there is because they maintain that hunger. I cannot be any more clear than that. If someone wants to damage that relationship I cannot control it. For me sport is about that will to win. They have it even though, they’ve won more than everybody else. Hopefully, that’s clear."

With City dropping points against Newcastle on Saturday, the north London outfit equalled them on points with a 4-2 win over Leicester at Emirates Stadium. They will next face Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in the Champions League.