Pep Guardiola sends clear message to Premier League referees after Manchester City drama against Arsenal | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has sent a clear message to Premier League referees following the 2-2 draw between his side and Arsenal on Sunday.

It was the Premier League champions who opened the scoring just nine minutes in against the visiting Gunners, but momentum was disrupted when defensive midfield star, Rodri left the field due to a knee injury.

Arsenal scored shortly afterwards through Riccardo Calafiori, however the focus was surrounding referee Michael Oliver in the build-up to a controversial move executed by Mikel Arteta’s players.

After a foul was made, Oliver called over Manchester City captain Kyle Walker to speak with him, before then allowing Arsenal to take a quick free-kick before the right-back could get back into position.

The English referee’s performance was heavily criticised by both teams, having gone on to send off Leandro Trossard before half-time, after the Arsenal midfielder kicked the ball away following a foul.

John Stones’ late equaliser cancelled out Gabriel Magalhaes’ headed goal in the first-half, with the points being shared at the Etihad Stadium and Manchester City maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.

Pep Guardiola’s reaction to Arsenal’s first goal was highlighted on Sky Sports, with the Manchester City manager kicking his seat in anger. The Catalan coach did not look happy with Kyle Walker, who he believed was not in position.

However, when reflecting on the moment after the game, and after speaking with his captain at half-time, Pep Guardiola explained that Walker was right and that the officials should have allowed him to be set after being called over to speak.

“I was annoyed with Kyle [Walker for Arsenal’s equaliser], but Kyle was right,” he said to Sky Sports after full-time.

“Because the referee asked him to come to talk to him and the other ones, and when that happens some players have to be close to the ball, and we have to readjust the back-four, but they didn’t have time.

“But Kyle arrived in position, and after [Riccardo] Calafiori made a good goal. But we knew always every free-kick they contact quick with the wingers. They are really good with [Bukayo] Saka and [Gabriel] Martinelli, and I don’t like the back-four when it’s a foul and they move on.”

Pep Guardiola concluded the discussion with a clear message to the Premier League officials. Half-jokingly, he suggested that his players will not speak to them if the game will be resumed before they are back in position.

He added, “But when the referee says, ‘Come to talk to me’, at least leave him to come back to the position. Because next time, we will not go to talk to them.”