Manchester City and Arsenal clashed in a fiery 2-2 draw that was packed with drama, controversy, and no shortage of post-match jabs.
John Stones didn’t hold back, labeling Arsenal’s tactics as “dirty,” while Bernardo Silva went a step further, mocking the Gunners for not playing real football and even taking a dig at their trophy cabinet. Emmanuel Akanji joined in, accusing Arsenal of stirring up drama but confidently declaring that City would still win the league, as they “always do.”
Just another day at the Etihad.
The tension reached its peak after Erling Haaland charged into Thomas Partey and then launched into a furious, expletive-laden tirade at Mikel Arteta and Gabriel Jesus. While Pep Guardiola tried to downplay the fiery incidents that didn’t go City’s way, he still urged his side to improve. Meanwhile, Arteta attempted to brush off the controversy with a series of “no comments” during his press conference, but came across as more of a sore loser, especially when distancing himself from the time-wasting tactics Arsenal employed in the second half.
Arteta’s frustration was palpable, leaving the press conference in a tense mood after snapping at reporters for not discussing tactics. When asked about stoppage time or the lack of yellow cards for time-wasting, he seemed flustered and unable to provide a clear answer.
But behind the scenes, Arsenal’s camp told a different story.
Sporting director Edu strolled through the mixed zone with a beaming smile, greeting journalists and appearing relaxed. Several Arsenal players, including Kai Havertz, were spotted chatting with their City counterparts, while Declan Rice left the stadium with a City shirt tucked in his bag, clearly familiar with many of the opposition from his England days. David Raya, who was accused of running down the clock, left the Etihad limping with a bandage on his knee—perhaps a twist of irony to suggest he really did pick up an injury during all that supposed time-wasting.
Gabriel Magalhães stopped for a calm chat with Brazilian reporters, seemingly unfazed by the chaotic match. Interestingly, even though Bernardo Silva appeared composed when speaking to the same media, his translated quotes were incendiary, taking aim at Arsenal’s mentality.
As for Arteta, his demeanor stood in contrast to the upbeat mood of his players and coaching staff. Whether it was the press conference grilling or just the after-effects of a high-stakes match, he looked less than pleased. Maybe he’s similar to Guardiola—obsessed with the game long after the final whistle. Despite his mood, Arsenal’s camp left the Etihad feeling relatively positive.
After all, they managed to scrape out a point—no small feat given the circumstances. They had come agonizingly close to a memorable victory with just 10 men, and their second-half defensive effort held firm.
Arteta may have refused to acknowledge the gritty tactics, but Arsenal’s fiery frustrations seemed to cool off by full-time—that is, until Monday’s newspapers hit, featuring Bernardo’s brutal dismantling of their mentality and Akanji’s confident title proclamation.
All eyes are now on the reverse fixture at the Emirates.
