The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, has intensified the rivalry with Arsenal after their 2-2 draw in the Premier League at Etihad Stadium last weekend.

Recall that after the said game which ended in a 2-2 draw, City players John Stones and Kyle Walker, accused Arsenal of using the “dark arts” to defend their 2-1 lead.

In response, Arsenal defender Gabriel stated that they would be ready for Manchester City’s visit to the Emirates on February 1, 2025.

In a pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Newcastle United, Pep Guardiola told reporters that he has accepted Arsenal’s challenge.

The Spanish tactician said, “You want a war? Now we war.

“Gabriel said it perfectly in the press after the match, so this is a war.

“We have to provoke the opponent, to push them, and at the end, what can you do? You provoke me, OK, I’m there.”

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has admitted that City’s striker, Erling Haaland is not proud of his actions during their clash with Arsenal last weekend, referring to an incident where the Norwegian threw the ball at Gabriel after the match.

Guardiola attributed this to the emotions of the game and suggested that Haaland may not be proud of his actions, but understood the intensity of the challenge presented by Arsenal.

He said: “The emotions are the emotions.

“So I’m sure he’s not proud of what he did, but listen, in the type of challenge that Arsenal challenged us, I understand it.”