90min

Mikel Arteta backs Pep Guardiola in wellbeing row

  • City manager Guardiola concerned for players' health
  • Arsenal boss Arteta supports post-match rant
  • Coventry vs Man United should have been played on Saturday

By Joshua Browne

Arteta has backed Guardiola's comments
Arteta has backed Guardiola's comments / Michael Regan/GettyImages
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta echoed sentiments from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola over their recent fixture congestion.

City overcame Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley in their FA Cup semi-final on Saturday - the solitary goal scored by Bernardo Silva - to reach a second successive final in the prestigious competition.

However, Guardiola wasted no time in criticising the swift turnaround following his team's defeat to Real Madrid at the Etihad earlier this week.

City lost on penalties to Los Blancos on Wednesday after the teams were locked 4-4 on aggregate after extra-time.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Guardiola exclaimed: "It's unacceptable to let us play today. It's impossible, for the health of the players. It's not normal.

"120 minutes, the emotions of Madrid, the way we lose, honestly. I know this country is special [with the FA Cup] but it's for the health of the players."

"I just want to protect my players. It's common sense. I'm not asking for something special or privilege."

Pep Guardiola
Guardiola was relieved that City got through / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

Guardiola added that Coventry and Manchester United, teams not engaged in European competition, ought to have played on Saturday instead. This rescheduling would have afforded City additional time for recovery.

Arteta, whose Arsenal side secured a 2-0 victory against Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday following their defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, supported Guardiola's comments.

"It's not about us, Pep or myself. It's about the wellbeing of the players," he said.

"When you compete in European competition, every team has to compete in the same way.

"You cannot have a team that hasn't played for seven days, or three days before and has more recovery time, and then you have to play in the Premier League and the FA Cup. It is not right."

City are next in action on Thursday when they face Brighton away in the Premier League. Guardiola's men triumphed 2-1 when they hosted the Seagulls in October, the goals scored by Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland. Arsenal, meanwhile, host Chelsea on Tuesday.

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