After Manchester City defeated 10-man Arsenal at home in a thrilling match, Mikel Arteta expressed his displeasure with referee Michael Oliver.
Mikel Arteta was furious with the refereeing in Arsenal’s draw at Man City (Image: BEIN SPORTS)
Following Sunday night’s thrilling 2-2 draw between Manchester City and 10-man Arsenal, Mikel Arteta was visibly upset with referee Michael Oliver.
John Stones’ equalizer in the 98th minute of play at the Etihad cut the Gunners’ historic victory short. Prior to Leandro Trossard receiving a second yellow card and being sent off, Arsenal had led 2-1 following an incredible comeback in the first half.
Eight minutes into first-half stoppage time, the Belgian forward pulled Savinho’s shirt for his first yellow card. Oliver then gave him the command to march.
On the touchline, Arteta was enraged and shocked, yanking his sweater up over his head. In his chilly post-match interview with Sky Sports, he expressed the same level of frustration.
“There were two remarkably comparable events. One in particular was really unique and had a distinct result, forcing you to play a game that no one was interested in watching,” Arteta remarked.
Jeremy Doku was not sent off for kicking the ball away during a different first-half incident, which the Arsenal manager appeared to be bringing up.
When pressed further on whether he was discussing Doku in particular, the Spaniard said, “I’m not talking about anything; I’m just stating what happened.” It seems quite obvious to me. I don’t have to discuss it.
“It seems quite obvious to me. Hopefully, what 100% of people think is quite evident.
“I’m not here to pass judgment on what transpired. My task is to endure for fifty-five minutes in the most demanding football atmosphere possible (10 men away against Man City).
“My duty was to get things done so I could survive. The rest is not related to my work, and this is the second time in five games that it has occurred, which is really concerning. You wish to watch the top Premier League games.
“It takes Trossard less than a second to kick the ball away. Doku’s previous one was longer than a second. And that’s it. It’s easy.”
Nine minutes into the match, the hosts took the lead thanks to Erling Haaland’s 10th goal of the year and his 100th goal for City. However, the Gunners hit back quickly, thanks to headers from Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori.
Trossard’s dismissal changed the course of the game. Up until Stones’ last-gasp equalizer, Arsenal was resilient and appeared to be going to achieve a historic triumph at the Etihad Stadium despite City having 28 shots against the 10-man Londoners in the second half.
“It’s unbelievable what the players did, the way we played in the normal conditions which were already super, super difficult,” Arteta continued, showing his pride in his team despite the outcome.
“That explains why, in over forty games, City has not lost here. After that, we were forced to compete for 55 and 56 minutes with 10 men. That is the tale of our players’ character, and I am incredibly proud of them.
“The circumstance is rendered impossible by the red card. Playing [against City] with 11 players is extremely difficult; playing with 10 is not conceivable. When you have ten, you have to repeatedly defend your six-yard box.
“The players performed incredibly well, and I’m really happy for them. We were quite unhappy to lose in the final minute after having to play 99 minutes after surviving for so long.
“But at the same time I cannot be prouder of them and the way they competed today.”
When asked if Arsenal’s second-half play was sluggish due to players frequently collapsing from cramps, Arteta answered, “That’s not for me to comment.”
