Mikel Arteta keeps the ball from Jack Grealish during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal. (Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal’s squad is reportedly revelling in the belief that they’ve got under Manchester City’s skin following a heated draw between the Premier League’s top contenders.
The Gunners were moments away from clinching an impressive win at the Etihad, only for John Stones to net a 98th-minute leveller. The goal led to fiery exchanges, with Erling Haaland seen throwing the ball at Gabriel Magalhaes and tempers flaring among players post-match.
Despite facing backlash for their tactics, with Bernardo Silva criticising Arsenal’s style and Pep Guardiola showing his displeasure, it seems the North London club has taken pleasure in unsettling their title rivals.
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal players have been buzzing in their group chats, with one player texting: “They are fuming!”
Post-match comments from Stones and Manuel Akanji about Arsenal’s ‘dark arts’ have added fuel to the fire, with Stones even branding Arteta’s tactics as ‘dirty. ‘.
However, Guardiola appears to be trying to quell the tension, indicating he’s reached out to Arteta after the contentious match.
“The opponents can play how they want to, it’s up to us to handle them,” pointed out the astute Catalan manager. “With Mikel, we texted each other. The relationship, it doesn’t change.
A bust-up between the Arsenal and Manchester City players. (Image: Getty Images)
“If they decide to play in that way, it’s more than perfect. It’s fine. I wasn’t able to do that, but they were brilliant. It’s about us, how we can break them down and we did it really well in many things.
“It’s not the first time in eight years here. Do you know how many times we’ve played against teams that play that way? Millions, millions. It’s about us, that’s why it’s a challenge for us.”
Moreover, Arteta spoke with pride about his squad, asserting: “The team has a desire to compete in any context to win and to adapt. Different competitions and different ways of playing – it is superb.
“Happy? No. Because we wanted to win the three games, but I understand how tough that context is and how difficult it is.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1953825/Arsenal-Man-City-news-group-chat