Mikel Arteta reveals Pep Guardiola’s praise for his Arsenal side after beating Man City… with the Gunners boss hailing the ‘momentum defining’ win over their title rivals

• Arsenal earned a 1-0 win over title rivals Man City before the international break 
• Mikel Arteta believes the result could change the momentum of the season
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed Pep Guardiola labelled his side as a ‘terrific team’ after securing a crucial 1-0 win over his Man City side before the international break.

The Gunners headed into the break on a high after ending a 12-match losing run to the European champions in the Premier League.

Gabriel Martinelli’s late deflected strike proved the difference between the two teams at the Emirates earlier this month, with Arsenal celebrating landing a blow on their rivals in the title race.

Arteta told the Men in Blazers podcast that he had spoken with Guardiola after the match, with their well-publicised friendship unaffected by the rivalry between the two teams.  

The Arsenal boss, who worked as an assistant to Guardiola before moving to the Emirates, revealed his fellow Spaniard had lauded his team in the aftermath of the match.

Mikel Arteta, right, revealed Pep Guardiola had labelled his Arsenal side as a ‘terrific team’

Gabriel Martinelli ‘s late deflected strike saw Arsenal earn a narrow in over their title rivals

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‘I talked with him [Guardiola] after the game,’ Arteta said. ‘It’s always like this, it’s very tense, it’s very emotional, a lot is going on in that moment, but after that, the relationship remains intact.

‘I lost much more than I won against him but, to be fair, in the last two games when we won the Community Shield and now in the league, the feeling is totally different.

‘What I feel towards him is admiration and gratitude, I would not be where I am if not for him.

‘[He said] ‘Congratulations, you guys are a terrific team’ and let’s move on’.

Arteta added that he had blamed himself for Arsenal missing out on the title last season, with his side’s form falling away in the final weeks of the season. 

‘I’m a terrible loser, I was really disappointed not to win the title when we had a big chance to do it,’ he said.

‘I put the blame on me and I had to think if I’m still the right person to take the club to different level.’

Victory over Man City saw Arsenal head into the international break second in the Premier League on goal difference, with North London rivals Tottenham top of the table.

Arteta said the win over Man City could change the momentum of the Premier League season

Arteta suggested the victory over Man City could help to define the momentum of the campaign, with the Gunners having finished as runners-up to Guardiola’s side last season.

‘Those games define the momentum of the season and, going into an international break, that momentum is really important,’ Arteta told Arsenal’s club website.

‘We played at home, we beat them in the Community Shield and we wanted to see if we had the consistency and the level to do it again against the best team in the world.

‘We performed to a very high level individually and collectively and obviously it was a very special day for everyone.’

Arsenal will hope to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a London derby against Chelsea.

Arteta’s side will travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday to face the Blues, who have won their last three matches in all competitions.

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