Frustrated Arsenal fan to Pep Guardiola: "Why You Teach Arteta Work If You Don't Want Him to Prosper?"

Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta during their time together at Premier League champions Manchester City. (Photo Credit: Imago)

Frustrated Arsenal fan to Pep Guardiola: "Why You Teach Arteta Work If You Don't Want Him to Prosper?"

Izuchukwu Akawor 05:35 - 08.05.2024

An Arsenal fan challenges Pep Guardiola's motives in mentoring Mikel Arteta as a coach amid the battle for the Premier League title.

The intense Premier League title race between Arsenal and Manchester City has seen tensions rise among both sets of fans, with one frustrated Gunners supporter aiming a dig at Pep Guardiola.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that the visibly exhausted fan has come for Guardiola for seemingly stifling his former assistant Mikel Arteta's progress as they go head-to-head against each other for the second successive season.

Arsenal fan, Arteta and Pep Guardiola

Commenting on an Instagram post about the two managers' master vs apprentice battle as shared by an X, formerly Twitter user, the Arsenal fan bemoaned:

"If you know say you no go let Arteta prosper, why you come teach am work?"

Apprentice and Master: Mikel Arteta (left) and Pep Guardiola (right).
Apprentice and Master: Mikel Arteta (left) and Pep Guardiola (right). (Photo Credit: Imago)

The Nigerian pidgin English phrase directly translates to: "If you knew you were not going to allow Arteta to prosper, why did you teach him?"

The fan's words encapsulate the feeling among some in the Arsenal fanbase that Guardiola is now standing in the way of Arteta's potential glory after nurturing his coaching talents during their time together at Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta has totally worked wonders with Arsenal since he left Man City for the Emirates in 2019
Mikel Arteta has totally worked wonders with Arsenal since he left Man City for the Emirates in 2019. || Imago

Arteta spent three years on Guardiola's staff at the Etihad, soaking up the Catalan's methods and coaching philosophies as they won two Premier League titles together.

However, since taking the Arsenal job in 2019, the 42-year-old has emerged as a potential threat to his former mentor's domestic dominance.

The Gunners currently lead City by a single point at the Premier League summit, albeit having played a game more, as they chase a first title since 2004 in an enthralling race.

For some Arsenal supporters, the prospect of Guardiola, their manager’s ex-teacher and master, standing in the way of such a monumental achievement for Arteta appears unpalatable given their history.

Mikel Arteta and his master, Pep Guardiola, at Man City.
Mikel Arteta and his master, Pep Guardiola, at Man City. (Photo Credit: Imago)

The impassioned fan's post suggests feelings remain raw at the idea of Guardiola essentially creating a monster he may not be able to control as his protégé.

While such emotions are understandable amid the pressure of a title run-in, others would counter that Guardiola deserves immense credit for helping mould one of the brightest managerial minds in Europe at the moment.

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Whether mentor or adversary, master or teacher, the Spaniard surely wants to see Arteta fulfil his potential – even if that means having to overcome him to win more silverware himself.

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