Pep Guardiola gives blunt response to Erling Haaland’s furious bust-up with Arsenal coach

Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and Erling Haaland were involved in a post-match altercation with Arsenal’s set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, following Sunday’s Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jovic, formerly on Pep Guardiola’s staff, appeared to square up to Kyle Walker before Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish joined in, with Bukayo Saka helping security staff to split the group up before it became too heated.

City boss Pep Guardiola was asked about the incident during his post-match press conference but kept his cards close to his chest. The revered Catalan coach told reporters: “I know what happened but I don’t want to say anything.”

“They know it. It is football, we lost the game. We will come back stronger.

“I know these players for many years and what we have done together. It is an honour and a privilege to seem them running and fighting.”

Pep Guardiola and his players now have to wait two weeks before they next return to on-field competitive action, as a large contingent of the City boss’ first-team squad head out on international duty.

Upon their return later this month, Manchester City host Roberto De Zerbi’s ever-impressive Brighton & Hove Albion side at the Etihad Stadium, before Champions League group stage encounters and the Manchester derby against Erik ten Hag’s faltering side.