Pep Guardiola has responded to claims that he has "created a monster" in his former assistant manager Mikel Arteta, whose Arsenal side currently lead the way in the Premier League.
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For three and a half seasons, Arteta was Guardiola's understudy at the Etihad Stadium as the Citizens ascended into becoming one of the most dominant forces the English game.
However, in the midst of trying to create this monopoly in the Premier League, the former Gunners midfielder was offered the managerial role at his old stomping ground, subsequently switching Manchester for north London.
After winning the FA Cup in 2021, the Spaniard has assembled a young and fearsome team who are top of the table following their historic start to the season. Arsenal have won 11 of their first 13 matches, two points ahead of the reigning champions.
When Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand posed the question to Guardiola of whether he thought he created a monster in Arteta, the Spaniard refused to take any credit.
"No, absolutely not!" Guardiola responded to the former defender, as per BT Sport.
"He was already! That drive…
"It's a perfect definition [of a club backing their manager], do you know why?
"There was not good results [in the past] I remember [people said] he must be sacked and 'Arteta out'.
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"I know Mikel, they see him, the sporting director Edu and the club, how he works, how he talks, we saw in the documentary (All or Nothing: Arsenal).
"We know it. They said, 'Okay, rely on him, rely on him, it's a process' – people believed Mikel would go there and in six months they win the Champions League. He needs time!"
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