Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated that his team’s tactics during Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Manchester City were “normal.”
The Gunners conceded a last-minute equalizer at the Etihad Stadium after being reduced to 10 men due to Leandro Trossard’s red card in first-half stoppage time.
Arsenal faced accusations of time-wasting against City, with John Stones and Kyle Walker claiming the Gunners resorted to the “dark arts” to maintain their 2-1 lead.
However, Arteta explained that his team had little choice but to defend deeply due to City’s numerical advantage, referencing a moment in the first half when Guardiola’s side also had 10 players following Rodri’s injury.
“Well, we had to play the game that we had to play. The first 15 minutes, we couldn’t. They [City] played 30 seconds with 10 men. Look what they did. It’s normal what they did,” said Arteta.
“Unfortunately we’ve been in the same situation. We were in that same situation with Granit [Xhaka] when we lost 5-0 [in 2021]. So we’d better learn. If not I would be very thick.”
David Raya, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Martinelli all went down with cramp during the second half at the Etihad, leading to accusations of time-wasting.
But Arteta says the Gunners will be without injured players for Wednesday’s EFL Cup tie against Bolton.
“I always prefer the facts to words, or supposing things,” said Arteta.
“Let’s see who’s available tomorrow and then we can talk about dark arts or these things.
“Unfortunately, yes, there will be a few players not available.”
When asked if any of the injuries sustained against City were serious, Arteta replied, “We have to wait. One of them.”
Trossard received his second yellow card at the Etihad after kicking the ball away following a foul on Bernardo Silva.
This incident marked the second time this season that an Arsenal player has been sent off for a similar offense, following Declan Rice’s dismissal against Brighton in August.
Asked if he needs to warn his players about the rule, Arteta said: “For passing the ball [away] you mean? I think so… just leave the ball, don’t touch the ball. We play without the ball.”