Pep talk helped me through the tough times says Arteta

MIKEL ARTETA has revealed how he and Pep Guardiola leaned on each other for support during low points this season.

Guardiola drew fierce criticism after Manchester City’s slow start, while Arteta faced calls to be sacked as Arsenal boss before Christmas.

Ahead of Sunday’s clash,Arteta, whose family also received online threats, said: “We have been in contact a lot since I have been here in good moments and bad. Also when he had some difficult moments – and now he is having great moments – but the relationship does not change.Always we have some advice and support.

“It is good for any moment in your career because you need people as much as possible that have had these situations.

“Then the advice is much more concrete and useful. Does that apply on and off the

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pitch? Absolutely.” Guardiola did not want Arteta to leave City when he quit as No2 at the Etihad to take the Arsenal job in December 2019.

But the Spaniard refused to stand in his countryman’s way and the pair have remained close. Arteta also claims City’s recordbreaking 17-match winning run has been five years in the making. He believes long-term planning at his old club has allowed them to shrug off the loss of big stars such as Sergio Aguero, above, and Kevin De Bruyne to injury.

Arteta said: “That hasn’t happened overnight, it has been built over the past five years. Recruit really well, recruit players that can take the next challenge. Credit to everyone who makes the decisions there.”