Pep Guardiola slams Arsenal antics and aims subtle dig at Mikel Arteta

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shared his frustrations at Arsenal players going down with cramp as the Gunners tried in vain to hold on to their lead at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

John Stones equalised for City deep into stoppage-time to finally end Arsenal's resistance. Mikel Arteta's team played the entire second half with 10 men after Leandro Trossard was send off for a second yellow card in first-half stoppage-time.

Both teams went into the match without key players, with Martin Odegaard missing for Arsenal and Kevin De Bruyne ruled out for City. Guardiola's team also lost Rodri midway through the first half, with the Spain midfielder picking up a worrying-looking injury.

Guardiola said he was yet to speak to club doctors to determine the extent of Rodri's injury. However, he had plenty to say about the oposition's tactics, appearing to take aim at opposite number Mikel Arteta.

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"I don't know how many [Arsenal] players went down with cramp, but that can of course happen in a demanding game," Guardiola told Sky Sports. Referee Michael Oliver added seven minutes of stoppage time time, with that total added to after Arsenal's Jurrien Timber was forced off with cramp during that period, and Stones' goal came in the eighth extra minute.

"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," Guardiola continued. "There were ten players there. In the end we got what we deserved."

"Maybe I would have done the same because it is with ten men," Guardiola said when asked about supposed time-wasting from Arsenal. "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."

What did you make of Arsenal's tactics? Have your say in the comments section

Arteta, for his part, praised the way his team responded to going a man down. Both teams remain unbeaten, though the equaliser means City rather than Arsenal end the weekend top of the Premier League.

"I am so proud of the team. We played the game in a difficult context. Playing against the best team in the world," Arsenal's manager told Match of the Day

"After what happened we went 2-1 up - it was a different story and I prefer not to make any comment about that [Leandro Trossard's red card].

"Obviously, it is already a miracle we played 56 minutes at the Etihad with 10 men. It is unbelievable what we have done."

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