Pep Guardiola sends clear message to Premier League referees after Manchester City vs Arsenal

Pep Guardiola has sent a clear message to Premier League referees following the 2-2 draw between Manchester City and Arsenal.

Manchester City opened the scoring for Manchester City just nine minutes in against The Gunners, but their momentum was disrupted when Rodri left the field due to injury.

Arsenal scored shortly afterwards through Riccardo Calafiori, however, the focus was surrounding referee Michael Oliver.

After a foul was made, Oliver called over City captain Kyle Walker to speak with him. The official then allowed Arsenal to take a quick free-kick before Walker could get back into position.

The English referee’s performance was heavily criticised by both teams. He sent off Leandro Trossard before half-time after the Arsenal midfielder kicked the ball away after giving away a foul.

John Stones’ late equaliser cancelled out Gabriel’s headed goal, with the points being shared at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s reaction to Arsenal’s first goal was highlighted on Sky Sports, with the City manager kicking his seat in anger. He did not look happy with Kyle Walker, who he believed was not in position.

However, when reflecting on the moment after the game, and after speaking with his captain at half-time, Guardiola explains that Walker was right and that the officials should have allowed him to be set after being called over to speak.

“I was annoyed with Kyle [Walker for Arsenal’s equaliser], but Kyle was right…” he said to Sky Sports after full-time.

“Because the referee asked him to come to talk to him and the other ones, and when that happens some players have to be close to the ball, and we have to readjust the back-four, but they didn’t have time.

“But Kyle arrived in the position, and after [Riccardo] Calafiori made a good goal. But we knew that always every free-kick that they contact quick with the wingers.

“They are really good with [Bukayo] Saka and [Gabriel] Martinelli, and I don’t like the back-four when it’s a foul and they move on.”

Guardiola concluded the discussion with a clear message to the Premier League officials. Half-jokingly, he suggested that his players will not speak to them if the game will be resumed before they are back in position.

He added: “But when the referee says, ‘Come to talk to me’, at least leave him to come back to the position. Because next time, we will not go to talk to them.”