Pep Guardiola Slams Arsenal’s Tactics and Takes a Jab at Mikel Arteta
In a thrilling encounter at the Etihad, Manchester City clawed back a late equalizer against Arsenal, leaving Pep Guardiola seething over what he perceived as unsporting behavior from the Gunners. The match, which ended 2-2, saw Arsenal relinquish their lead in dramatic fashion, allowing John Stones to score in the dying moments of injury time.
Guardiola’s frustration was palpable as he critiqued Arsenal’s tendency to go down with cramp during the match. “I don’t know how many [Arsenal] players went down with cramp, but that can of course happen in a demanding game,” he remarked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. His comments seemed directed at Arsenal’s head coach, Mikel Arteta, implying a tactical approach that strayed into the realm of gamesmanship.
As the second half unfolded, Arsenal found themselves at a disadvantage after Leandro Trossard received a controversial red card for allegedly delaying the game. The decision left Arteta’s side reeling, yet they managed to hold onto their lead until the very end. With referee Michael Oliver extending injury time by seven minutes, the tension escalated as Jurrien Timber was taken off for cramp, paving the way for Stones’ equalizer in the 98th minute.
Guardiola praised the relentless effort of his squad but couldn’t hide his annoyance at Arsenal’s defensive tactics. “We crossed and crossed and had Ruben [Dias], Manuel [Akanji], Erling [Haaland], but when you cross they have Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, so it is so difficult,” he explained. Despite the late frustration, Pep acknowledged the tenacity of his players: “In the end we got what we deserved.”
When questioned about Arsenal’s tactics, Guardiola admitted, “Maybe I would have done the same because it is with ten men. You have to ask Mikel [Arteta] what the tactic was.” The jibe encapsulated Guardiola’s complex emotions—frustration mixed with grudging respect for Arsenal’s resilience.
On the other hand, Arteta remained upbeat despite the draw. “I am so proud of the team. We played the game in a difficult context, playing against the best team in the world,” he said after the match. Reflecting on the red card incident, he preferred to sidestep controversy, stating, “After what happened we went 2-1 up—it was a different story, and I prefer not to make any comment about that.”
The draw not only saw City snatch the top spot from Arsenal but also left both teams still unbeaten in the league. Arteta, reveling in his team’s performance, declared, “It is unbelievable what we have done,” highlighting the miraculous nature of their effort in a challenging match.
As the dust settles, both managers will undoubtedly reflect on a game filled with high stakes, late drama, and a simmering rivalry that promises to ignite further encounters this season.
Pep Guardiola Slams Arsenal’s Tactics and Takes a Jab at Mikel Arteta