Man Metropolis gamers accuse Arsenal of 'darkish arts' as Arteta hails 'miracle'

Manchester Metropolis ahead Bernardo Silva stated just one staff got here to play soccer of their 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal, who had been accused of using “darkish arts” at Etihad Stadium.

However Gunners supervisor Mikel Arteta claimed it was “a miracle” his facet got here so near victory after taking part in the second half with 10 males.

John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser denied Arsenal what would have been an enormous victory over the defending champions.

After winger Leandro Trossard was controversially despatched off in first-half damage time, the Gunners had simply 12.5% of possession within the second half.

Metropolis had 28 photographs within the second interval – a quantity eclipsed solely by the momentous ‘Aguero’ title-winning second half towards QPR in 2012.

“There was just one staff that got here to play soccer,” Silva instructed TNT Sports activities Brazil. “The opposite got here to play to the boundaries of what was doable to do and allowed by the referee, sadly.

“I am glad we all the time enter the pitch to attempt to win each match.”

Arsenal had been seconds away from turning into the primary away staff to win on the Etihad since Brentford in November 2022 – and transfer prime of the Premier League – earlier than Stones snatched a degree that as a substitute returned Metropolis to the summit.

“It’s a miracle we performed 56 minutes on the Etihad with 10 males,” stated Arteta. “It is unbelievable what we’ve completed.”

Requested if his facet would have received had Trossard stayed on the pitch, Arteta stated: “I’ve no clue. We might have tried for positive. However what I can let you know is 99 out of 100 occasions in case you play 56 minutes towards this staff with 10 males, you’re going to lose and also you’re going to lose by loads of objectives.”

That Arsenal conceded so late given fourth official Andy Madley had signalled there could be seven minutes of stoppage time simply added to Arteta’s frustration.

He stated he was glad to let others draw their very own conclusions on Trossard’s purple card.

The incident got here only a week after Gunners midfielder Declan Rice served a one-match ban for getting a second yellow for kicking the ball away.

Trossard, having already been booked, barged Silva within the again, then kicked the ball away. The Premier League confirmed he was proven a second yellow for the latter offence by referee Michael Oliver.

Arsenal followers had been fast to grab on Metropolis winger Jeremy Doku doing what they felt was the identical factor earlier within the recreation and escaping with out sanction.

However there did seem like a elementary distinction in that Doku was kicking the ball into the final space wherein Oliver needed Arsenal to take their free-kick.

“I’ve seen it and it is that apparent so I will go away it to you guys,” stated Arteta.

When it was identified kicking the ball away is a yellow-card offence, Arteta stated: “I want to not remark. You analyse the scenario and the way lengthy it takes.”

Arteta refused to remark when he was quizzed about perceived time-wasting ways, which had been the rationale for recreation persevering with longer than anticipated.

Nevertheless, talking to BBC Match of the Day, Metropolis defender Stones was essential of Arsenal’s method.

“They gradual the sport down,” he stated. “They get the keeper on the ground to allow them to get some data on to the pitch. We needed to management our feelings throughout these powerful occasions.

“I would not say they’ve mastered it however they’ve completed it for a couple of years now so we knew to anticipate that. You may name it intelligent or soiled, whichever manner you need to put it, however they break up the sport which upsets the rhythm.

“They use it to their benefit and we handled it very effectively.”

Metropolis captain Kyle Walker stated on BBC Radio 5 Stay: “As a soccer match, it’s a nice spectacle for the Premier League. In all probability not a lot sure stuff – I believe it’s half and parcel of the sport and we’ll say the darkish arts.

“I believe as a Manchester Metropolis fan or participant, you might be clearly pissed off. As an Arsenal supervisor, he’s going to say effectively performed and effectively managed.”

After Erling Haaland gave Metropolis the lead, the hosts had been upset on the build-up to Riccardo Calafiori’s equaliser. Arsenal had been allowed to take a fast free-kick by referee Oliver as Walker was returning to his place after being summoned for a chat together with reverse quantity Bukayo Saka.

Supervisor Pep Guardiola kicked his chair within the Metropolis dugout in frustration and made his emotions identified to fourth official Madley each on the time and the top of the sport.

And, whereas he acknowledged his facet ought to have taken management of the scenario by shuffling their remaining defenders throughout the pitch to fill the area and standing over the ball to stop a fast free-kick, he additionally stated in future he would inform Walker to not go to the referee if such a scenario occurred and ask the official to go to him.

Metropolis earlier lost midfielder Rodri to injury 21 minutes into the sport when he appeared to twist his knee whereas tangling with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey.

Rodri additionally went down following a collision with Kai Havertz within the opening seconds, however that was not deemed punishable by the video assistant referee (VAR).

“It began within the very first second. Within the first motion we realised what was going to occur,” added Silva.

“We had a participant injured after they despatched him to the bottom twice in 10 minutes. We had a purpose conceded after the referee referred to as our captain after which did not permit him to get better his place.

“The second purpose is already their traditional block to our keeper allowed by the referee. After which the referee allowed a sequence of time-wasting occasions.

“The factor that bothers me probably the most is having loads of conferences with the FA originally of every season. They inform us they are going to management this sort of scenario and can cease them, however on the finish it would not have any value. They are saying quite a bit however nothing occurs.”

Requested concerning the distinction between Metropolis’s rivalry with Arsenal to the one they shared with Liverpool throughout the Jurgen Klopp period, Silva continued: “I do not know. Possibly that Liverpool have already received a Premier League, Arsenal have not. That Liverpool have received a Champions League, Arsenal have not.

“Liverpool all the time confronted us face-to-face to attempt to win the video games, so by this angle the video games towards Arsenal have not been like those we had and have towards Liverpool.”

The controversy contributed to an exhilarating afternoon that can stay lengthy within the reminiscence – however Arteta stated he wished the sport had not turned on refereeing choices.

“I can’t be glad,” the Spaniard stated on the finish of his post-match media convention.

“I need to be concerned in a recreation at this stage that places the sport in a scenario that we are able to get pleasure from and discuss it within the correct manner. We’re not speaking about that. It is clear. You have not requested me one single tactical query.”