Mikel Arteta opened up about a phone call with Pep Guardiola before Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate and UCL semi-final spot.

This season, Arteta picked up four points against his boss in the league, including a 5-1 demolition at the Emirates Stadium. Pep’s biggest win in the fixture was a 5-0 in the 2021/22 season.

Arteta opted to rest club captain Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka from the start in Arsenal’s 1-1 weekend Premier League draw at Everton with the latter only just back from a long-term injury.

Mikel Arteta revealed he called Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola before leading Arsenal to victory against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu to reach the Champions League semi-finals.