Mikel doesn't celebrate Mancity goals against Arsenal when he was assistant manager at City

 Pep Guardiola says Mikel Arteta wouldn't celebrate Man City goals against Arsenal when he was his assistant manager, as he insists he always knew how much the Gunners boss loves 'his club'

Mikel Arteta spent more than three years as Man City assistant from 2016-2019

Arteta won two league titles with Guardiola before he become Arsenal boss

Pep Guardiola has said he always knew about Mikel Arteta's love for Arsenal when the pair worked together at Manchester City.

The Spaniard also made 150 appearances for Arsenal between 2011-2016 and captained the Gunners in his time at the Emirates, before he became manager in December 2019.

There is a great mutual respect between Arteta and Guardiola - with the Gunners boss calling his counterpart his 'idol' in the past - and they face off in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday.

And speaking ahead of the clash, Guardiola revealed he always knew Arteta was passionate about his former club and explained how he wouldn't celebrate when City scored against the Gunners.

'I know he went to his club,' he told his pre-match press conference. 'The team he dreams of.

'He's a supporter, he was a captain there. He loves the club. I remember here when we scored goals he jumped a lot except against one team.