Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta defended the idea of ??maintaining a close and respectful relationship with Pep Guardiola, even amidst a tight race for the Premier League title, using the historic rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in tennis as an example. For the Spanish coach, breaking that bond would send the wrong message to top-level sport.

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The Gunners head into a new matchday with the chance to extend their lead over Manchester City to four points when they face Leeds United at Elland Road. The competitive landscape has once again pitted two teams against each other that have shared the spotlight in England in recent years, and two coaches with a relationship that transcends the outcome of each match.

Arteta and Guardiola have known each other for decades. They first met at La Masia academy in Barcelona when Arteta was just 15 years old. Later, the current Arsenal manager worked for three seasons under Guardiola at Manchester City, an experience that proved crucial before taking charge of the London club in 2019.

Respect off the pitch, ambition on the pitch

Ahead of the match against Leeds United, Arteta was asked about Guardiola's recent praise, in which he called Arsenal "the best team in the world" and highlighted City's ability to remain competitive after winning six of the last eight Premier League titles, while the Gunners haven't won the title since 2004. When asked if it was an attempt at psychological pressure, the manager was direct.

"With me? I don't think so. We don't talk like my wife and I do every three days, but we talk in general. He talks about how he feels, and that's it. If there are mind games involved, there are, but I don't pay too much attention to them because in the end, you have to go out on the pitch and deliver," Arteta stated.

When exploring why some are surprised that he maintains a good relationship with a direct rival,The coach drew a comparison with elite tennis. “For me, the surprising thing would be not to [maintain that relationship]. I think it would be a terrible example for the sport. In sports, you have to learn, and probably the greatest lesson that sport has taught us is the relationship that, for example, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer had,” he explained. Arteta clarified that he doesn't compare himself to those figures, but insisted on the value of respect. “I’m not at that level at all. But with one of the best players in history, or with the two best athletes, the relationship they have when they have to play a final, one-on-one, how on earth am I not going to have a great relationship with someone I admire, someone I’ve worked with, and who is a colleague? But it’s the same as with any other opponent. On the pitch, on the field, that’s what the winner goes to.” Meanwhile, Manchester City have tried to close the gap with significant signings such as Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo, in deals that reached $115 million. Regarding this, Arteta was pragmatic: “That’s business. I know what they’re going to do and what they’ve been doing for the last 10 or 15 years. Obviously, it doesn’t surprise me. They want to win and they’ll do everything they can to win.”