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Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has described Arsenal as performing “dark arts” in their Premier League draw and claimed referee Michael Oliver acknowledged he could have given him more of a chance to stop the Gunners’ equaliser at Etihad Stadium.
Walker and opposition captain Bukayo Saka had spoken to Oliver seconds before a long ball from Arsenal left the England international unable to prevent Gabriel Martinelli from finding space on the left, teeing up Riccardo Calafiori to curl in from outside the box and leave City manager Pep Guardiola kicking his seat and roaring with rage.
Arsenal goal: Oliver ‘should wait’
“It’s a great spectacle for the Premier League – probably not so much certain stuff, but it’s part and parcel of the game,” Walker told BBC Radio 5 Live, referencing visiting boss Mikel Arteta’s tactics.
“We’ll say the dark arts. As a Manchester City fan or player, you’re frustrated, we’ll say. As an Arsenal manager, he’s going to say ‘well played and well managed’.
“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
“I’m not ever going to come on national TV or radio and start slagging people off because there’s enough of that going on in the world.
“What I’m saying is that me and Bukayo have not gone over to the referee, he’s called us over. If I’m being called over to the referee, he then should wait and allow me to get back in position before the ball has then gone over my head.
“If I go over to the referee of my own accord and I’m then out of position, it’s my fault. But I’m in position and he’s called the two captains over to calm the players down, blah blah.”
‘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
Walker ‘not critical’ of referee
While his manager fumed, six-time Premier League winner Walker remonstrated with Oliver in the immediate aftermath of Calafiori’s 22nd-minute leveller, Erling Haaland having slotted City in front after nine minutes.
“I’m walking back saying ‘lads, concentrate – nothing stupid, make sure we get through this.’ We’re 1-0 up at this time. The ball’s then going over my head.
“Me and Mike have a very good relationship and he has a very hard job. He’s managed countless games at the top level so it’s not a dig at him.
“For him to say to me ‘I think I could have let you get back in another yard’ – I think, well, for these players now and these wingers especially, another yard gives me the advantage rather than the winger.
“It’s the second time it’s happened in five games… it’s really, really worrying” 😬
Mikel Arteta was not happy with refereeing inconsistencies after Arsenal’s draw with Manchester City 🗣 pic.twitter.com/WQ7mqLTGgO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
“That’s not me being critical of him. I know he has a hard job and has 22 angry players screaming at him continuously.
“If I was a goalkeeper, does he let me get back in my net? Of course. I’m the first line of defence; he should let me get back in, let me set and then blow the whistle.”
Trossard red card
Arguably the most controversial moment of the game between the top two last season arrived when Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard was sent off for kicking the ball away on the stroke of half-time.
Gabriel had headed Arsenal in front shortly beforehand and Arteta’s depleted side looked to have held out for a famous 2-1 win until the 98th minute, when John Stones struck to make it 2-2 and return City to the top of the table at Arsenal’s expense.
