• Guardiola was angered by comments after feisty 2-2 draw
• Arsenal manager insists cryptic remarks weren’t critical

Mikel Arteta has moved to defuse the escalating tensions between himself and Pep Guardiola, maintaining he has nothing but love and respect for his Manchester City counterpart.

The Arsenal manager was asked by Guardiola to clarify his comments from Tuesday as the fallout raged from last Sunday’s 2-2 draw between their clubs at the Etihad Stadium.