In a thrilling match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City and Arsenal ended their game in a 2-2 draw. However, the match was filled with tension, as both teams had strong feelings about each other’s playing styles.
Key Moments of the Match
The game started with excitement. Erling Haaland opened the scoring for Manchester City, giving them an early lead. But Arsenal quickly equalized when Riccardo Calafiori scored a goal. The tension continued to build as both teams fought for control.
Controversial Goals and Decisions
Arsenal’s second goal came from Gabriel Magalhães, who scored with a header from a corner kick. This goal was controversial because Manchester City’s goalkeeper, Ederson, was blocked during the play. As the match went on, Arsenal faced a major setback. Leandro Trossard was sent off just before half-time after receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball away. This left Arsenal with only ten players.
Despite being down to ten men, Arsenal tried to slow down the game. Their tactics nearly worked, but John Stones saved Manchester City with a dramatic equalizer in the 98th minute.
Criticism of Arsenal’s Tactics
After the match, City players John Stones and Bernardo Silva expressed their frustrations about Arsenal’s playing style.
Stones Speaks Out
John Stones commented on Arsenal’s approach, saying, “They break up the game, and it upsets the rhythm for everyone.” He pointed out that these interruptions make it hard for City to keep their momentum going. Stones described Arsenal’s tactics as either “clever” or “dirty,” highlighting that they have been using these strategies for years.
Silva Agrees
Bernardo Silva supported Stones’ view, stating, “There was only one team that came to play football.” He criticized Arsenal for pushing the limits of fair play and suggested that the referee allowed too much time-wasting during the game. Silva also pointed out that Arsenal’s second goal came from a situation that seemed unfair to City.
Mikel Arteta Responds
Arsenal’s coach, Mikel Arteta, had his own complaints. He was unhappy with referee Michael Oliver for not being consistent. Arteta noted that City’s Jérémy Doku also kicked the ball away but did not receive a yellow card, while Trossard did. He expressed concern about how this inconsistency could affect future matches, saying, “If it’s like that, I’m expecting 100 games to be 10 v 11 this season.”
Proud of the Team
Despite the challenges, Arteta praised his team for their performance. He said, “It is unbelievable what we have done,” referring to how well they played with ten men. Arteta was proud of how his players adapted to the situation.
Other Notable Incidents
Earlier in the season, Arsenal had a similar experience when Declan Rice was sent off during a match against Brighton. In the recent game, Haaland celebrated his goal by bouncing the ball off Gabriel’s head, but Arteta downplayed the incident, calling it a moment of emotion.
Injury Concerns for Manchester City
Manchester City’s coach, Pep Guardiola, shared his worries about Rodri, who left the match with a knee injury. He said, “I don’t know how serious it is.” Guardiola also criticized Kyle Walker for not marking Gabriel properly during the goal.
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