Pep Guardiola furiously kicked a chair during Manchester City’s thrilling 2-2 draw with title rivals Arsenal on Sunday, incensed by Riccardo Calafiori’s sensational first-half equaliser for the Gunners at the Etihad.
City took an early lead through Erling Haaland but Mikel Arteta’s side fought back to carve out a 2-1 advantage at the break, courtesy of goals from Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Calafiori, who joined Arsenal in the summer, netted his first Premier League goal with a stunning swerving effort from distance, as the visitors capitalised on a quick free-kick taken near the centre circle.
As soon as the left-back’s strike rippled the net, Man City’s players raced over to Michael Oliver in furious protest, arguing that he had not allowed captain Kyle Walker — who had been called over by the referee — sufficient time to return to his position.
With Walker caught cold, Gabriel Martinelli was able to break free on the left-hand side and set up Calafiori on the edge of the box, providing the assist for his stunning goal.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola furiously kicked a chair after Arsenal’s equaliser at the Etihad
Guardiola went on to gesticulate towards his players and the referee, visibly infuriated
Kyle Walker (third from right) and his Man City team-mates were left fuming after the equaliser
Riccardo Calafiori scored the leveller for Arsenal with a stunning strike from outside the box
Guardiola angrily lashed out by kicking his chair and the Etihad and vehemently shouting while gesticulating with his arms, visibly furious by the concession of Arsenal’s equaliser.
Walker, whose Man City side remain top on 13 points after the 2-2 thriller at the Etihad, opened up on the incident and his exchange with Oliver.
He told Radio 5 Live: ‘I’m not ever going to come on national TV, national radio and start slagging people off because there’s enough of that going on around in the world.
‘What I’m saying is I’ve not gone over to the referee. Me and Bukayo (Saka) have not gone over to the referee – he’s called us over.
‘So if I go over to the referee by my own accord and I’m out of position, it’s my fault. But I’m in position, he’s called the two captains obviously to calm the players down.
Walker (left) was caught out of position as he tried to get back following an Arsenal free-kick
It was a frustrating afternoon for Guardiola’s side who prodded and probed for the entire second half in search of an equaliser – but managed to score at the death to rescue at 2-2 draw
‘If he calls me over, if I go over of my own accord, fair enough. But for him to call both captains over and then not let me get back in position…
‘If I was a goalkeeper, does he let me get back in my net? Of course. I’m a defender, I’m the first line of defence he should let me get back in and be set and then blow the whistle.’
Arsenal sit fourth in the table following three wins and two draws, with just Liverpool and Aston Villa separating the Gunners and the champions after five matches so far.
