Arsenal forced Manchester City to settle for a point in their Premier League title match.
Pep Guardiola spoke with Jack Grealish after Man City vs Arsenal (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola has come under fire from Richard Keys for his choice to have a lengthy conversation with Jack Grealish just after the final whistle between Manchester City and Arsenal.
At the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s team put on an incredibly disciplined defensive display to earn a draw, leaving the reigning champions frustrated. Liverpool is currently leading the Premier League table and is regarded by Guardiola as the clear favorite to win the championship after Arsenal and City both dropped points.
Following the 0-0 draw with Arsenal, he said to Sky Sports, “Yes, Liverpool are favorites for the title.” “Favorites are always in first place, followed by Arsenal and us in third. It’s no longer in our control. We are limited to thinking about Aston Villa. You are the favorites if you are winning the league, as we have in the past.”
The post-match confrontation between Erling Haaland and Gabriel Magalhaes was possibly more entertaining, even though there wasn’t much action during the match. The two had already exchanged blows during the latter part of the match, with Haaland thinking Gabriel had fouled him in the penalty area. Gabriel, however, was not amused by Haaland’s decision to submit to his challenge and fall to the ground.
Declan Rice and Guardiola also had a close conversation during their full-time exchange, with the Man City manager substituting for Grealish just moments afterward. Just after the hour, the England international entered the game and found it difficult to have an impact. Guardiola then went onto the field to speak with Grealish and gestured to how he could have ended the match differently.
Cameras naturally recorded the exchange as Keys chastised Guardiola for his actions, his arms flailing in the air. He said, “Save it for the dressing room,” on beIN SPORTS. It is so tedious, but it’s all for the cameras. He shouldn’t even be on the field; head down the tunnel. He must now go and inform everyone else of their mistakes.”
Although Haaland scored twice for Man City, Guardiola has been accused in the past of ‘playing up to the cameras’. This was evident during their heated exchange at halftime during the season opener against Burnley.
The manager of Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, has also come under fire for his habit of giving the Kop a fist bump when the cameras are focused on him following victories for the Reds.
