Arteta compares Pep rivalry to Federer vs Nadal in title race

Arteta compares Pep rivalry to Federer vs Nadal in title race

Mikel Arteta has said that letting his rivalry with Pep Guardiola sour during a title race would set a poor example for sport.

He cited the respectful relationship between tennis greats Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who competed at the highest level for decades yet remained close friends.

Since becoming Arsenal manager in 2019, Arteta has often competed with Guardiola in the Premier League, yet he stresses that mutual respect should remain central to elite sport, just as Nadal and Federer have shown.

"For me the surprising thing would be not to (maintain that relationship)," Arteta said.

"I think it would be a really bad example for sport. In sport you have to learn and probably the biggest lesson that sport has given us is the relationship that for example that Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer had.

"I am not at that level at all. But one of the best in the history, or the two best sportsmen, the relationship they have between them when they have to play a final, one against one against each other, so how am I not going to have a great relationship with someone that I admire, I worked with and is a colleague? But it is the same as any other opponent. When it goes to the court, to the pitch, that's for the winner."