Pep Guardiola expressed his frustration with Arsenal’s tactics after Manchester City secured a late 2-2 draw against the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola Criticizes Arsenal’s Time-Wasting Tactics in Fiery Etihad Draw
The match, full of tension and drama, saw John Stones rescue a point for Manchester City with a last-gasp equalizer deep into stoppage time.
However, Guardiola’s post-match comments were more focused on Arsenal’s time-wasting tactics and the cramping of their players, as the Gunners fought to hold on to their lead.
Playing with 10 men for the entire second half after Leandro Trossard’s dismissal just before halftime, Arsenal resorted to a more defensive approach.
Guardiola took issue with the way Arsenal players were going down with cramp as the game wore on.
“I don’t know how many players went down, but it was a lot,”
Guardiola told Sky Sports. He highlighted how the referee added significant stoppage time due to these delays, leading to Stones’ crucial goal in the eighth minute of extra time.
While acknowledging that it’s a tactic many teams, including his own, might employ in such difficult circumstances, Guardiola couldn’t resist a subtle dig at his former assistant, Mikel Arteta.
“Maybe I would have done the same with 10 men. But you’ll have to ask Mikel what the plan was,” Guardiola remarked, emphasizing the challenge of breaking down Arsenal’s defensive wall of Declan Rice, William Saliba, and Gabriel.
Despite the frustrations, Guardiola commended his team’s patience and perseverance, noting that City deserved the equalizer.
Arteta, on the other hand, praised his side’s resilience, describing their efforts with 10 men as “unbelievable.”
Both sides remain unbeaten, but the tension between these two title rivals has only just begun.
