Arsenal board members forced to apologise to Manchester City chiefs after top executive stormed out of Etihad Stadium

Officials in Arsenal’s board at the 2-2 draw against Manchester City were had to apologise on behalf of their colleague after storming out at the full-time whistle.

The Premier League title rivals played out an eventful clash at the Etihad Stadium, with a single point rescued by the hosts courtesy of a goal in the eighth minute of additional time to break a stern nine-man Gunners rearguard.

Erling Haaland had put Manchester City ahead in the contest inside the opening 10 minutes, before goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes would move Arsenal into the lead upon the half-time interval. However, Leandro Trossard’s dismissal would cause problems.

Manchester City were forced to face off against an entire Arsenal squad behind the ball and shielding David Raya’s goal, whilst the pressure would ultimately prove too strong by the 98th minute, when John Stones struck from close range.

That strike and the celebrations of a last-minute goal would prove too much for one Arsenal official however, who publicly showcased his frustration and anger by leaving the stadium without greeting his Manchester City counterparts, in new footage emerging this week.

As per footage revealed by The Sun’s Martin Blackburn, Arsenal executive Tim Lewis failed to shake hands with Manchester City’s top officials having stormed out of his seat following Sunday afternoon’s 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

It is detailed that Tim Lewis did not return to greet Manchester City’s hierarchy, as is the norm following a game, with Etihad Stadium chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak seen pointing to the Arsenal chief at the top of the stairs.

As such, the report points out that it was left to fellow members of the travelling Arsenal board to apologise and mingle with their hosts within a corporate section of Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.

Much of Arsenal’s frustration on Sunday afternoon may have stemmed from the fact that despite gaining the lead, they had once again failed to hold on to a lead for the second time this season.

Mikel Arteta and his players currently trail Manchester City in the early Premier League table, having drawn two games following a 1-1 tie against Brighton & Hove Albion in August, courtesy of a Joao Pedro goal and Declan Rice red card.

Manchester City and Arsenal do not face off until early February 2025, in a contest that still may come too soon for either side to place one hand on the Premier League title for the 2024/25 campaign.