Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted he was enraged by Kyle Walker before the defender explained what had happened in the build-up to Arsenal’s equaliser in their 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Sunday.
Guardiola kicked his seat and shouted with fury after Arsenal profited from the England international speaking to referee Michael Oliver near the halfway line.
A long free-kick found Gabriel Martinelli in space while Walker backpedalled, the winger setting up Riccardo Calafiori to curl in from outside the box and make it 1-1.
Walker later said that he had been beckoned to speak to Oliver, who he claimed had apologised for not giving him enough time to return to a position in which he would have had a greater chance of stopping Arsenal from scoring.
‘I was annoyed with Kyle [Walker] but he was right’
Pep Guardiola explains why he kicked a seat after Arsenal’s equiliser 🤨 pic.twitter.com/q0sWLKM0Lj
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
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Man City vs Arsenal: Guardiola on referee
“I was, with Kyle,” Guardiola replied when he was asked by Sky Sports whether he had been annoyed. “The referee asked him to come to talk to him.
“When that happens, some players have to be close to the ball and we have to readjust the back four, but we didn’t have time. Kyle arrived in the position after Calafiori scored a good goal.
“We knew that from free-kicks they are quick to find the wingers with Saka and Martinelli. When the referee says ‘come to talk to me’, at least [let Walker] come back into position. Next time, we will not go to talk to them. It’s not a problem with Kyle.”
The Spaniard confirmed that his captain had told him the details of the situation while City were regrouping at half-time, having fallen behind during added time when Gabriel escaped Walker to head in from Bukayo Saka’s corner.
“I feel a little bit sorry for him”
Was Kyle Walker at fault for Arsenal’s first goal? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/f2il7ECZcc
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
Manchester City vs Arsenal ‘good rivalry’
Despite being reduced to 10 men before the break when Leandro Trossard was controversially shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, Arsenal looked to have completed a famous 2-1 win until John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser.
Arsenal have finished second behind City in both of the last two seasons and Guardiola suggested Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has replaced former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp as the manager most likely to beat him to the title.
“We have created a good rivalry with Arsenal,” he said. “Before, it was with Jurgen. [Arsenal] have personality and we have too. We equalised at the end and deserved it. Many things happened in the game – you have time to analyse it after.”
🎙️ “You can’t like each other!” @Carra23 and @GNev2 discuss the growing rivalry between Manchester City and Arsenal after their fiery 2-2 draw 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BRqfaCoGfp
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
Rodri injury
Guardiola said he had not spoken to doctors about an issue for Rodri that forced the hugely influential midfielder off in the 21st minute.
The Euro Player of the Tournament had returned eight days earlier from a hamstring injury he suffered during Spain’s win over England in the final on July 14.
