“You have to ask Mikel Arteta…” – Pep Guardiola responds to Arsenal time-wasting against Manchester City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has addressed the time-wasting from Arsenal during their 2-2 draw in the Premier League.

The Cityzens secured a dramatic late equaliser against Arsenal on Sunday, keeping their unbeaten streak alive in the 2024/25 season.

City got off to a strong start, with Erling Haaland scoring just nine minutes into the game. However, they faced a setback when Rodri was forced off with an injury.

Arsenal responded quickly, with Riccardo Calafiori levelling the score after a controversial moment involving referee Michael Oliver, who called over City captain Kyle Walker, allowing Arsenal to take a quick free-kick before Walker was back in position.

Arsenal then took the lead just before half-time through Gabriel, but they were reduced to 10 men after Leandro Trossard was sent off for a second yellow card.

Mikel Arteta’s side switched to a defensive back five to try and hold their advantage, but City broke through in the dying moments, with John Stones scoring a last-minute equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

The second half involved a lot of City dominance against a stern Arsenal defensive block. The visiting side looked like they were trying to waste time throughout the second half.

Asked about the tactics on display, Guardiola suggested that he may have done the same as his former assistant coach if he was the manager with a player sent off.

“In the second half, they wanted to stop the game, I don’t know how many [Arsenal] players went down with cramp, but that can of course happen in a demanding game,” the City boss told Sky Sports.

“We crossed and crossed and had Ruben [Dias], Manuel [Akanji], Erling [Haaland] but when you cross they have Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, so it is so difficult. There were ten players there. We were so patient and in the end we got what we deserved.

“Maybe I would have done the same because it is with ten men. You have to ask Mikel [Arteta] what the tactic was.

“They were good with the long balls into Kai Havertz who is so strong and they go for the second balls. In the end we were patient, had the chances and got the goal. That’s all.”

It appears to be a rivalry that is growing after City pipped Arsenal to the Premier League title in consecutive seasons. The two groups of coaching staff were arguing after Stones scored while the players faced off when Haaland smashed into Thomas Partey in the closing stages of the game.

City remain top of the table following the draw, two points above The Gunners, and will now turn their focus to the Carabao Cup third-round clash against Watford on Tuesday.