Arteta still ‘loves’ Guardiola despite Arsenal-City rivalry

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday he still “loves” his compatriot Pep Guardiola , manager of Premier League leaders Manchester City , despite the tension that marred their clash in the fifth round last weekend.

City, the title holder for the past four seasons, needed a late winner from substitute defender John Stones to force a 2-2 draw against visiting Arsenal, who played with 10 men throughout the second half at the Etihad Stadium .

Arsenal’s Belgian striker Leandro Trossard, City’s runner-up in the last two seasons, was sent off in the eighth minute of first-half stoppage time.

City struggled to break down the visitors’ defence despite dominating possession, prompting Stones and fellow Portuguese Bernardo Silva to accuse the London side of resorting to the “dark arts” of football.