Pep Guardiola has denied that a rift has developed in his relationship with Mikel Arteta despite a number of bruising encounters between his Manchester City team and Arsenal.

In each of the past four Premier League campaigns, Arsenal have recorded more points than the season before: from a nadir of 56 points (eighth) after Arteta took over midway through the 2019-20, to 61 points (eighth), to 69 points (fifth), to 84 points (second) to 89 points (second) last season, just two points behind champions Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta faces the media following Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League clash with Girona. The win guaranteed what we already effectively already knew and that the Gunners will skip the play-off round and progress to the last-16.