“You have to ask Mikel Arteta” – Pep Guardiola responds to Arsenal time-wasting against Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has addressed the time-wasting antics from Arsenal during their 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The Cityzens secured a dramatic late equaliser against their primary top-flight title challengers at the weekend, managing to maintain their unbeaten streak alive at the start of the 2024/25 season.

Manchester City got off to a strong start at the Etihad Stadium with Erling Haaland scoring just nine minutes into the game. However, they faced a setback when Rodri was forced off with an injury.

Arsenal responded quickly with Ricardo Calafiori levelling the score after a controversial moment involving referee Michael Oliver, who called over Manchester City captain Kyle Walker, allowing Arsenal to take a quick free-kick before the defender was back in position.

The visitors then took the lead just before the half-time interval thanks to Gabriel Magalhaes, but they were reduced to 10-men shortly afterwards when Leandro Trossard was sent off for a second yellow card.

Mikel Arteta’s side switched to a defensive back-five to try and hold their advantage, but Manchester City broke through in the dying moments, with John Stones scoring a last-minute equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

The second half involved a lot of Manchester City dominance against a stern Arsenal defensive block. The visiting side looked like they were trying to waste time throughout the second-half, much to the annoyance of the Etihad faithful.

Asked about the tactics on display from their opponents after the game, Pep Guardiola suggested that he may have done the same as his former assistant coach if he was the manager with a player sent off.

“In the second half, they wanted to stop the game, I don’t know how many [Arsenal] players went down with cramp, but that can of course happen in a demanding game,” the City boss told Sky Sports.

“We crossed and crossed and had Ruben [Dias], Manuel [Akanji], Erling [Haaland] but when you cross they have Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, so it is so difficult. There were ten players there. We were so patient and in the end we got what we deserved.

“Maybe I would have done the same because it is with ten men. You have to ask Mikel [Arteta] what the tactic was.

“They were good with the long balls into Kai Havertz who is so strong and they go for the second balls. In the end we were patient, had the chances and got the goal. That’s all.”

It appears to be a rivalry that is growing after Manchester City pipped Arsenal to the Premier League title in consecutive seasons, with tensions flaring throughout the latest edition of their challenge for top honours.

The two sets of coaching staff at the Etihad Stadium were arguing after John Stones scored, while players faced off when Erling Haaland smashed into Thomas Partey in the closing stages of the game.

Manchester City remain top of the table following the draw against Arsenal, sitting two points above the Gunners and will now turn their focus to the Carabao Cup third round clash against Watford on Tuesday night.