Pep Guardiola's Sly Dig: 'I've Already Nicked the Quadruple' – Shield and All!
Pep Guardiola cheekily reminded reporters he's already won a 'quadruple' – the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and Community Shield in 2018-19 – as Arsenal chase the more prestigious version ahead of the Carabao Cup final. He dismissed media snubs of the Community Shield while reflecting on his enduring bond with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta. The exchange highlights the growing rivalry between the Manchester City and Arsenal managers.
Pep Guardiola's Sly Dig: 'I've Already Nicked the Quadruple' – Shield and All!
Picture this: it's the day before the Carabao Cup final, Manchester City are licking their wounds after Real Madrid booted them out of the Champions League, and some cheeky journo asks Pep Guardiola about Arsenal's mad dash for the quadruple. Pep? He doesn't miss a beat. Deep breath, sharp look, and boom: "And quadruple as well."
You could hear the tumbleweed. Arsenal are chasing the big four – Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup – a feat no English side has ever pulled off. It's the holy grail, unprecedented, the stuff of legends. But Pep's not here to cheer on his old mate Mikel Arteta.
What Quadruple Does Pep Mean, Exactly?
Turns out, Pep's got form. Rewind to the 2018-19 season. City romped to the Premier League, lifted the FA Cup, stuffed the Carabao Cup, and – wait for it – nabbed the Community Shield. Four domestic pots in the bag. Oh, and they tumbled out of the Champions League quarters to a Tottenham side that finished 27 points behind them in the league table.
"I know it's not as prestigious, like you pretend," Pep shrugged, with that trademark sniff. The Community Shield? It's the curtain-raiser, champions vs FA Cup winners, a bit of a friendly with medals. But to Pep, it's gold. He's been banging on about its value since day one in England. "When City win it, it's not a title. When others do, it is," he's moaned before. Fair play? You decide.
Arsenal, under Arteta (Pep's former blue-eyed boy), hold it dear too. No wonder – Mikel learned at the master's feet. But let's be real: the Gunners have miles to go before they dream of immortality. Lose the final tomorrow, and the dream's on life support.
From Mates to Rivals: Pep and Mikel's Shifting Sands
Amid the banter, there's heart. Pep and Arteta go way back – Mikel as assistant, glued at the hip for hours daily. Now? "No time to hop on the train to London, or him to Manchester," Pep admitted in Friday's presser.
Arteta's all class: "My feelings haven't changed. He's been my inspiration since I was a kid trying to nick his spot in Barcelona's midfield." Geography's the killer, he says. Can't grab a coffee, swap tactics. But the respect? Rock solid.
It's a rivalry wrapped in affection. City chasing a treble repeat after last season's haul; Arsenal sniffing their first title in donkey's years. Tomorrow's Wembley showdown could swing the title race. Pep's quadruple jab? Classic mind games, served with a side of salt.
As SI Soccer reported from the presser, this spat's got everyone chatting. Will Arsenal weather the storm, or will Pep's words echo louder than the Wembley roar? Pour another pint – the season's just heating up.
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