Pep Guardiola Explodes Over Arsenal Quadruple Hype, Makes Shocking Counter-Claim

When asked about Arsenal's chances of securing the quadruple this season, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola fired back that he had already accomplished this achievement, despite the media "acting like" it never occurred.

The four trophies Arsenal are pursuing include the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. No English football club has ever captured all four major competitions in a single campaign, and the Gunners face a challenging path toward this historic accomplishment.

Nevertheless, Guardiola showed little interest in celebrating the theoretical triumph of his main competitors, particularly before the Carabao Cup final between both teams and shortly after City's hopes of claiming all four titles were decisively ended by Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16.

During Friday's media session, Guardiola was questioned about the challenge of collecting four championships. "I mean, you've won a treble," the reporter reasoned, "so you've gotten closer than anyone else."

Following a long pause, Guardiola responded: "And quadruple as well."

What 'Quadruple' Is Pep Guardiola Talking About?

As Guardiola later explained, he was discussing the 2018–19 campaign when City captured four domestic titles; the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Community Shield. During that same season, City was eliminated from the Champions League quarterfinals by a Tottenham Hotspur squad that finished 27 points behind them in England's premier division.

"I understand it's not as respected, as you make it seem," he remarked with a shoulder shrug, "but we accomplished it."

The significance of the Community Shield has remained a contentious issue for Guardiola since his arrival in England. The traditional season-opening match is a single game between the league champions and FA Cup winners. It has consistently held an uncertain position within English football, awkwardly positioned in the semi-friendly category—much to Guardiola's frustration.

"When Manchester City claims the Community Shield, it's not considered a trophy," he once complained. "When another club wins the Community Shield, it's deemed a trophy."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta holds similar respect for that specific honor, probably due to his tenure as Guardiola's assistant at City. Both have progressed significantly since Arteta ventured out independently at Arsenal in 2019.

How Guardiola's Relationship With Arteta Has Changed

For Guardiola, his changing dynamic with Arteta is largely a matter of practicality. "I don't have the opportunity to visit London, and I don't believe he has the chance to travel to Manchester," the City manager acknowledged.

"When we were together [at City] we interacted for five or six hours daily, so the connection is entirely different after his five or six years in London."

Arteta acknowledged the geographical constraints but noted that his respect for Guardiola, which has persisted since he admired his fellow Spaniard while attempting to succeed him in Barcelona's midfield, remains unchanged. "My emotions toward him haven't altered whatsoever," the Arsenal manager concluded.

"It's different because we're never in the same place—we can't share time together and that's crucial for our bond. But it's not the most significant factor, because my feelings about him and our shared experiences, what he contributed to my development and the motivation he's provided since my youth, that will never change."