Manchester City players fume over Arsenal’s 'dirty' tactics in 98th-minute Etihad draw

Manchester City players launched a fierce critique of Arsenal’s tactics and their lack of trophies following a heated Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, which ended in a 2-2 draw after John Stones’ last-gasp equaliser.
 

Bernardo Silva and John Stones were vocal about their frustrations with Arsenal’s defensive approach and alleged time-wasting, which they claimed disrupted City’s momentum.

“There was only one team that came to play football,” said Silva, who also made a gesture during the match, potentially mocking Arsenal’s trophy count.

He compared Arsenal to Liverpool, pointing out, “Liverpool have already won a Premier League and Champions League – Arsenal haven’t.”

Stones echoed Silva’s sentiments, labelling Arsenal’s approach as “dirty” football.

“They break up the game, upset the rhythm, and use it to their advantage,” Stones said, acknowledging that City had managed to handle the disruption effectively.

The tense encounter, which saw Leandro Trossard receive a second yellow card just before half-time, left Arsenal defending with 10 men for the remainder of the match.

Despite coming close to securing their first Premier League win at the Etihad in nearly two years, Arsenal's tactics drew sharp criticism from City’s players, who accused their opponents of deliberately slowing the game.

Erling Haaland’s equalising goal triggered a heated confrontation between both teams, and Silva expressed frustration over Arsenal’s tactics, accusing officials of allowing Arsenal’s time-wasting to go unpunished.

“It started from the very first second,” Silva said, referring to what he saw as an aggressive approach by Arsenal, including a challenge that injured City’s Rodri early in the game.

Guardiola, while critical of Arsenal’s tactics, also remarked that he may have adopted a similar strategy if his team were in the same position.

Mikel Arteta, on the other hand, was left fuming over Trossard’s dismissal, questioning the consistency of refereeing decisions.

He remarked, “It’s the second time [this season], and it’s very worrying in what is supposed to be the best league in the world.”

The post-match controversy extended to City’s complaints about Arsenal’s quick free-kick, with Kyle Walker arguing that he had not been given enough time to return to his position.

Despite the chaos, Guardiola urged his players to remain composed in such situations, while City’s late equaliser ensured they remain in pursuit of their Premier League title ambitions.