Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has played down talk of a feud with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, saying he "loves" his former colleague and cannot control attempts to "damage" their friendship.
Speaking on Friday before City's trip to Newcastle, Guardiola said he had been provoked into a "war" with Arsenal following last Sunday’s action-packed 2-2 draw between the teams at Etihad Stadium.
Arteta, responding to accusations from several City players of employing 'dark arts' to defend a 2-1 second-half lead, told reporters on Tuesday that he had "all the information" on them following his three-and-a-half year spell as Guardiola's assistant - comments which also upset the City boss.