Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola attended the pre-League Cup final press conference, where he was once again asked about the discussions surrounding Arsenal's so-called “dark arts”.
Reporter: John Stones and Bernardo Silva have said that Arsenal's tactics are "dark arts." In response, Mikel Arteta stated that he spent four years at Manchester City and knows exactly what happened there. From what I understand, you weren't happy with his comment at the time, saying he should be more specific next time—if I remember correctly, you used the word "vague." I'm just wondering, how is your relationship now?
Guardiola: Good.
Reporter: Are you good friends now? Do you ever have dinner together?
Guardiola: I don't have time to go to London, and I imagine he's quite busy juggling four competitions, with no time to come to Manchester.
Reporter: It's been a while since that incident. In your opinion, is this matter behind you now? No hard feelings?
Guardiola: After he's been in London for five or six years, our relationship is completely different from what it was. Every manager has a lot to handle, but if you're trying to create some kind of conflict between me and Mikel or Arsenal at this pre-match press conference, I'm not interested in playing along.
Reporter: Don't you find it a bit ironic? Arsenal's current style of play is basically what you were saying, or seemed to be implying, that Manchester City was using—the so-called "dark arts" style. They've become that kind of team, haven't they? Arsenal's style……
Guardiola: Are you listening to me? How many times have you heard me mention that topic, that concept about Arsenal here? Have you heard me say they play with "dark arts"? I said this is how they play now. Don't you think? I think so. Go ask about the corner kicks in London. When's the press conference? Mikel in London—if you have time, spend an hour going there to ask him.
Reporter: …
Guardiola: If there really is a problem..., then the referees need to handle such matters, those behind the scenes need to take care of these things—not the managers. Everyone should do their job. Look at what's happening around the world, right? Our world is falling into an incredible chaos, yet no one wants to speak up, and everything is hidden behind the scenes. The world is going to collapse, and we're still talking about the so-called "dark arts" targeting this team or that team. There are far more important things to focus on.
