Erling Haaland confronts Arsenal’s William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães during a tense moment

Accusations of time-wasting and feigned injuries emerge as Arsenal hold on with 10 men.

In a high-intensity Premier League showdown at Etihad Stadium, Arsenal’s tactics have come under scrutiny following a 2-2 draw against Manchester City. After going down to 10 men due to Leandro Trossard’s red card just before halftime, the Gunners faced accusations of employing “dark arts” to disrupt City’s momentum.

Manchester City defenders Kyle Walker and John Stones voiced their frustration over what they saw as deliberate time-wasting and feigned injuries from the Arsenal camp. According to Stones, Arsenal used stoppages to allow goalkeeper David Raya to communicate tactical instructions from manager Mikel Arteta. “They get the keeper on the floor so they can get some information on the pitch,” Stones claimed.

During the second half, several Arsenal players, including Gabriel Martinelli, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber, went down with cramps, leading to multiple breaks in play. This sparked discontent from City players and fans, who believed these interruptions were calculated to stop City’s relentless attacking pressure. After interacting with Raya during a stoppage, the Arsenal substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly was even booked for unsporting behavior.

Despite the controversy, some praised Arsenal’s defensive effort, with BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty labeling them “streetwise” in their approach. Mikel Arteta, describing his side’s performance as “a miracle,” applauded his players for their resilience in securing a point under difficult circumstances.

Also Read: Arsenal Holds Manchester City to 2-2 Draw at Etihad

City boss Pep Guardiola, on the other hand, emphasized his team’s integrity, referring to them as “an honest team” and subtly critiquing Arsenal’s tactics. “I know what the opponents are going to do,” Guardiola said. “Tactically, there’s always a way, but we cannot control behaviors.”

The match climaxed when substitute John Stones netted a dramatic 98th-minute equalizer to salvage a point for the home side, leaving Manchester City fans relieved and frustrated. Arsenal, meanwhile, managed to hold on despite the numerical disadvantage, adding another chapter to their growing rivalry with the reigning Premier League champions.

As debate swirls over whether Arsenal’s tactics crossed the line into unsporting behavior, this draw highlighted the tactical ingenuity and the controversy often accompanying high-stakes football at the top of the Premier League table.