Mikel Arteta has fired back at Manchester City over comments that his Arsenal side employed “dark arts” in their 2-2 draw on September 22, 2024.
Following the game, several football enthusiasts accused Arsenal players of deploying time-wasting tactics either through feigning injury or delaying goal-kicks.
Manchester City players, including; John Stones and Bernardo Silva, also lambasted the North London side for gamesmanship in their pulsating draw at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City Vs Arsenal
The Cityzens initially went ahead in the 9th minute through Erling Haaland, before two first-half goals from Arsenal through Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel saw the hosts trailing at the break.
Manchester City had to work twice as hard to secure an equalizer against Arsenal, with the Gunners playing a low block and defending fiercely after Leandro Trossard was shown a red card late into the first half.
During the second period, the North London side witnessed players like Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Martinelli and Jurrien Timber going down and subsequently being withdrawn due to injury.
Many Manchester City players felt that this was basically a ploy by Arsenal to kill time and obstruct the flow of the game.
Mikel Arteta Says Arsenal’s Injury List Proves That They Didn’t Employ “Dark Arts” In Their Clash Against Manchester City
However, Mikel Arteta has expressed that the Gunners injury list proves that they weren’t employing “dark arts”, stressing the need to see the players that are available for their EFL Cup clash against Bolton Wanderers on September 25, 2024.
Speaking in a presser ahead of their clash against Bolton Wanderers, Arteta insisted that he is fixated on facts.
He said: “I prefer facts to supposing things, so let’s see who is available tomorrow and then we can talk about dark arts. Unfortunately, there will be a few players unavailable.
“It’s opinions and that’s it. If a player is feigning something, then that means he will carry on, he will be involved in the squad, and he will play.”
Arsenal trio of Calafiori, Martinelli, and Timber, who were taking off during their draw against Manchester City as aforementioned are doubts for their EFL Cup clash against Bolton on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
Mikel Arteta Praised His Arsenal Side For Their Resilience
Mikel Arteta also lauded his men for their ability to soldier on after Leandro Trossard was dismissed, sharing they had learned from finding themselves in similar situations in recent seasons.
The Spanish tactician said: “We had to learn from the past because, unfortunately, we had been in that situation three times.
“We were in the same situation with Granite [Xhaka in 2021-22] and we lost 5-0. We had better learn. If not I would be very thick.”
Mikel Arteta On Manchester City’s Criticism Of Arsenal’s Approach
The 42-year-old also responded to the criticisms of Arsenal by the Cityzens, stating that he has been at the Manchester-based club for four years and he understands the happenings around the team.
Arsenal In The 2024/25 Season
The draw against Manchester City saw Arsenal maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign in all competitions, with the Gunners occupying the 4th spot on the Premier League table with 11 points, having recorded 3 wins and 2 draws.
They return to action on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, with an EFL Cup clash against Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium.
In the Premier League, Arsenal face Leicester City next at the Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2024.
Mikel Arteta’s side are aiming to win the Premier League this campaign, having finished as runners-up in the last two seasons.
