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Pep Guardiola And mikel arteta Both expressed disappointment over the umpiring after Sunday’s match between the title contenders. Manchester City And Arsenal ended in a barnstorming draw.
There was a thrilling contest between the defending champions and their biggest rivals. Etihad StadiumErling Haaland’s early effort was saved by a superb goal from Ricardo Calafiori, on his first appearance for Arsenal.
Set-piece star Gabriel gave Arsenal the lead with a header in first-half injury time but there was more drama to follow as Leandro Trossard was sent off moments later.
The 10-man Gunners defended furiously and wasted time in the second period but City levelled the score at 2-2 in the final minute through substitute John Stones.
Reflecting on the match, Arsenal boss Arteta said: “I am so proud of them. The way we reacted is incredible.
“I couldn’t be happier. I want to be involved at a level that puts the sport in a position where we can enjoy it and talk about it in a proper way. That’s not what we’re talking about. That’s clear.”
Arteta faced questions about referee Michael Oliver’s decision to book Trossard for a second time for giving the ball away, two weeks after Declan Rice received a second yellow card for the same reason.
I expect the 100 Premier League games this season will be 10 vs 11, or 10 vs 10, or 9 vs 10. Let’s see.
mikel arteta
“I don’t want to comment on it,” the Arsenal boss said. “I’ve seen it and it’s clear, so I’ll leave it to you guys.
“I’ve already gotten into a lot of trouble trying to sort out what happened on the field. What happened off the field is not my problem to sort out.”
Arteta, asked about a case of City winger Jeremie Doku kicking the ball away which went unpunished, said: “That’s what I’m saying. It’s so obvious it’s not necessary to comment on it. It’s the second time it’s happened.”
“I hope the 100 Premier League games this season will be 10 vs 11, or 10 vs 10, or 9 vs 10. Let’s see.”
City were also aggrieved by some refereeing, with Kyle Walker being caught in the wrong position after Calafiori’s equaliser and being called on to speak to referee Oliver.
“I would never go on national TV, national radio, and criticise people because there’s enough of that in the world,” the City captain told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“What I am saying is that I did not go to the referee. Me and Bukayo (Saka) did not go to the referee – he called us.
“So, if I get called to the referee, he has to wait and let me get into position before the ball goes over my head.”
Guardiola shared City’s right-back’s displeasure over the equaliser but offered no opinion about the block on goalkeeper Ederson after Gabriel lost Walker to score with a header from a corner.
“It’s a block … sometimes it’s disallowed, sometimes it’s a goal,” said the City manager, who kicked his seat in the dugout in anger after Calafiori’s goal. “But honestly, I don’t know
“My concern is – I want to be honest – that when the referee tells Walker to go 20 miles from his spot, you might have to wait.
“But we have to be better organised and the second ball we can stop, but you have to defend better, Gabriel and Kyle didn’t do that.
“Listen, they bring us this type of game Arsenal and we have to handle it and we did that.”
Guardiola said: “We can do better but next time I will tell my players, when the referee asks ‘come to talk to me’, I will say ‘come to me’, so we will not go.”
The City boss felt it was a “good point” and is hopeful star midfielder Rodri will be spared a serious knee injury after limping off midway through the first half.
“I don’t know yet. I haven’t spoken to the doctors,” Guardiola said.
“Rodri is a strong guy. If he goes out of the field he feels something, otherwise he stays there.”