Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji was unimpressed by Arsenal’s tactics in yesterday’s pulsating 2-2 draw and vowed not to let Mikel Arteta’s men claim their Premier League crown.
Arsenal were denied a famous win at the Etihad after John Stones snatched an 98th-minute equaliser for Pep Guardiola’s four-time defending champions.
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The Gunners had used every trick in the book to preserve their 2-1 advantage for 45 minutes following the sending-off of Leandro Trossard in first-half injury time.
The defensive set-up, and extensive time-wasting, appeared to have worked until substitute Stones had the final say, leaving both sides frustrated.
Asked if Arsenal were the masters of the dark arts, Switzerland international Akanji told reporters: “Yeah, but in the end we always won the title and I don’t think it’s going to be different this year.
“I don’t think there are many better than them at it. That’s what they’re looking for. We have to defend ourselves because in every duel, every free kick that was given, they went on the floor.
“Players go on the floor to get up, sprint back again, go on the floor again. One of their team went over to tell the keeper to go on the floor and stuff like this. In the end, it’s up to the referee to control these situations throughout the whole season. There’s nothing else we can do about it.”
“Stay humble eh” 🔥
Listen to Erling Haaland’s comments to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta at full-time following the 2-2 draw 🚨 pic.twitter.com/sXVYrK7hw9
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 23, 2024
Trossard red saw Arsenal take different approach
Erling Haaland had earlier put the hosts ahead with his 100th City goal only for Arsenal to come roaring back and take the lead through a brilliant strike from Riccardo Calafiori and a trademark Gabriel header from a corner.
Trossard’s dismissal change the course of the game and prompted Arsenal to divert from their usual easy-on-the-eye football to a more rudimental approach.
“Always when we play against them, that’s what they’re looking for,” Akanji added. “The drama. Going hard in the duels, defence, 11 players in their own box and then go on set pieces and try to score a goal.
“It worked for them so if they’re happy with the one point… we’re not, we tried to get more but that’s what they’re happy with.
“At the end of the day, we’re still top of the league. We haven’t lost a game yet. We tried, especially in the second half with one man up but it’s hard with 10 players defending in their own box.
“We tried our best, in the end we had to keep pushing until the end. Luckily in the end we scored a goal and got one point.”
The feistiness continued after the final whistle with Haaland exchanging words with Arteta and other Arsenal players. Reports this morning suggested no further action by the Football Association would be taken.
How it panned out at the Etihad Stadium 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/N7yqHpdnGs
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 23, 2024
