A recent report has shed light on the intense reaction within the Arsenal dressing room following comments made by Manchester City players after their dramatic match. The clash, which took place at the Etihad, saw Arsenal denied a significant victory when John Stones scored a 98th-minute equalizer, ending the game in a 2-2 draw. This late goal thwarted Arsenal’s hopes of securing a statement win and handing City their first home defeat since November 2022. The fallout from the match, however, went beyond the scoreline, with tensions spilling into the locker room.
City’s equalizer came after Arsenal had been reduced to 10 men following Leandro Trossard’s dismissal. Trossard received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away after being penalized for a foul on Bernardo Silva. The match itself was already intense, with tempers flaring on both sides, but the post-match scene turned even more chaotic. Players from both teams were involved in a heated confrontation at the final whistle, setting the stage for what was to come in the dressing rooms.
According to a report from the Independent, this frustration carried over into Arsenal’s locker room, where the players were particularly riled by comments from Manchester City. City players allegedly accused Arsenal of engaging in what they referred to as the “dark arts” of football—tactics that involve time-wasting and other methods to gain an advantage. Arsenal players were reportedly angered by these accusations, especially considering their own frustrations during the game.
Before Trossard’s red card, there had already been discontent within the Arsenal camp, particularly surrounding decisions that seemed to favor their opponents. Some Arsenal players reportedly complained about the consistency of officiating, noting that incidents like Declan Rice’s controversial red card against Brighton never seem to happen to Manchester City. This perceived bias only added fuel to their frustration, creating an emotionally charged atmosphere after the final whistle.
Mikel Arteta Defends Arsenal Integrity After Manchester City’s Time-Wasting Allegations
Meanwhile, Manchester City privately pointed to what they perceived as Arsenal’s time-wasting tactics and general on-pitch behavior, adding another layer to the post-match tension. The Independent suggested that there was considerable “behind-the-scenes furore” regarding Arsenal’s conduct on the pitch. It was also revealed that complaints had allegedly been made to the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) regarding Arsenal’s use of gamesmanship, or what City saw as manipulative tactics during the game.
What seemed to catch the Arsenal camp off guard was the fact that these complaints were never formally raised with them. The Gunners were reportedly surprised by the accusations, especially as they believed such tactics are a common part of football. Arsenal is said to have defended their approach, insisting that even referees acknowledge that “everyone uses dark arts” to some extent. To them, these tactics are a universal part of the modern game, not something specific to their team.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking after the game, was full of praise for his players’ effort and character. In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Arteta highlighted the difficulty of playing with 10 men for over 55 minutes against a team as formidable as Manchester City. He expressed immense pride in how his squad handled the situation, especially given the conditions and the pressure they were under.
Arteta stated, “It’s unbelievable what the players did. The way we played in those conditions was already incredibly challenging. That’s why they [City] haven’t lost here for over 40 games.” He went on to emphasize the significance of what his team had managed to achieve under such difficult circumstances, even though they couldn’t hold onto the lead.
Reflecting on the key moments that shaped the game, Arteta mentioned that Arsenal had gone 2-1 up, only for two similar incidents—particularly Trossard’s sending-off—to turn the match on its head. The decision to send off Trossard for what many saw as a relatively minor infraction left Arsenal playing a game that, in Arteta’s words, “nobody wanted to watch.” He refrained from directly criticizing the officiating but made it clear that he felt the decisions were questionable.
Arteta chose to focus on his team’s resilience instead, saying, “It’s not my job to come here and judge what happened. My job is to survive in the most difficult environment you can throw in football for 55 minutes and try to get things done.” His words underscored his belief that Arsenal had been unfairly treated but that the players’ response in such a hostile setting was something to be commended.
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