Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made a cheeky remark aimed at his Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta who previously served as his assistant in Manchester for three and a half years.

When questioned about the referee Simon Hooper’s performance in City’s 3-3 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur, Guardiola chose to play it coy and stated that he would not ‘pull a Mikel Arteta’.

“Next question. I will not make a Mikel Arteta comment. It was a good game, that is the most important thing,” he remarked.

Manchester City fume at referee Simon Hooper in Spurs draw

Jack Grealish had given Manchester City a 3-2 lead in the 81st minute in what appeared to be a winning goal in a high-scoring match. However, Dejan Kulusevski found the net in the 90th minute, leveling the scores for the third time on the afternoon.

With the scores tied at 3-3 deep in stoppage time, Grealish was through on goal after referee Simon Hooper played advantage for a foul on Erling Haaland, only to call back the play.

The Manchester City camp was left fuming about the decision, with the players surrounding the referee, but Guardiola chose not to criticize the man in charge.

“It is hard when you review the image; the referee decides to blow the whistle after he has already said to play on. After the pass, the whistle, so I do not understand this action,” added the Manchester City boss.

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Why did Guardiola say he would not pull a Mikel Arteta?

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta went on a rant last month following his side’s controversial 1-0 loss to Newcastle United at St. James Park.

The 64th-minute goal by Anthony Gordon went through three VAR scans – possible ball out of play, possible offside, and possible foul – but came out without any blemish, with Arteta terming the referring as “embarrassing” and “an absolute disgrace.”