Martin Odegaard says fiery Arsenal-Manchester City rivalry is natural
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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard said there should be a little bit of heat sometimes on the pitch.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Arsenal and Manchester City’s fiery rivalry is a natural by-product of both teams’ desire to be the best, the north London club’s captain Martin Odegaard said, ahead of their English Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Feb 2.
Arsenal finished runners-up to City in 2022-23 and took the Premier League title race
Tempers flared during their last meeting in September as Odegaard’s Norwegian compatriot Erling Haaland threw the ball at Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes and directed heated words at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, asking him to “stay humble”.
Before the Feb 1 fixtures, City were fourth in the league standings with 41 points while second-placed Arsenal, with 47 points, were six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
“In football, games like this, the emotions are so high and the adrenaline is there and everything. That’s something that can happen on the pitch and then when you walk off the pitch, you are done with it,” Odegaard told the British media.
“It is not something I think too much about. I think it is normal when you play these big games that there is a big rivalry. You are competing and you want to be the best. So, that’s how it should be and there should be a little bit of heat sometimes.
“But then, I think a lot of the players know each other from the national team – England, Brazil, me with Erling – so on the pitch and off the pitch, it is a bit different. When we are on the pitch, then it’s a good battle.”
Arteta, meanwhile, insists there is no rift with his old friend and fellow Spaniard Guardiola.
Guardiola’s players accused Arsenal of using “dark arts” during September’s fractious 2-2 draw.
City midfielder Rodri suffered a serious knee injury in the clash, while Arsenal played over half the game with 10 men following Leandro Trossard’s dismissal in a separate incident.
Arteta, who worked as Guardiola’s assistant before taking charge of Arsenal in 2019, responded to City’s aggression by hinting the league champions were no angels.
“I have been there before, I was there for four years. I have all the information. So I know. Believe me,” he said at the time.
Guardiola was believed to have been frustrated with Arteta, saying he should “be more clear” about what he was insinuating.
“I was there for four years, so I know how competitive they are. They win and win again. That is what I meant,” he said on Jan 31 of the terse exchanges in September.
“If there was a problem, we wouldn’t have been talking on the phone and messaging each other. If not, it wouldn’t happen.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (above) insists there is no rift with his old friend Pep Guardiola.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Just an hour before Arteta faced the media on Jan 31, Guardiola had played down talk of a feud between the pair, describing their relationship as “exceptional”.
However, Guardiola said Premier League teams have it tougher than their European rivals due to their demanding fixture list.
City meet the Gunners four days after the crucial Champions League win over Club Brugge and will face Real Madrid in the play-off first leg on Feb 11, three days after an FA Cup fourth-round tie.
“In the Premier League, every team has to play everyone,” Guardiola said. “But normally in the Premier League they always put the toughest schedules for teams in Europe in the important stages, schedule the most difficult ones, because it is tough to play against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said Premier League teams have it tougher than their European rivals due to their demanding fixture list.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Guardiola grew prickly when asked whether the league should do more to help clubs, saying the problem existed well before his arrival in Manchester.
“Are you asking me that question after many years here? Come on. Don’t make me (answer) that question,” he said.
“You have been here many years before me and it has always been like that. I’m not complaining because we have incredible success playing that calendar.
“It’s always been like that. We accept it. I’m not complaining because we won trebles and had success doing like that...
“Do you think it is going to change? The broadcasters decide, they don’t ask me what is better to play.” REUTERS, AFP
