Next time we’ll not talk to them – Pep Guardiola on the referees.
Pep Guardiola has complained about Michael Oliver’s game management in the build up to Arsenal’s first goal in their meeting at the Ethiad on Sunday.
Erling Haaland gave Manchester City the lead in the ninth minute but The Gunners were able restored parity through Riccardo Calafiori against the run of play in the 22nd minute, when the referee called over Kyle Walker for a chat following a foul. Arsenal played on and Martinelli setup the Italian for his first Arsenal goal.
Next time we’ll not talk to them – Pep Guardiola
Speaking in the postmatch interview, Pep Guardiola told reporters: “Next time, we’ll not go to talk to the referee”.
“Kyle Walker was just right. The referee asked him to come to talk to him and the other ones, and when that happens some players have to be close to the ball, and we have to readjust the back-four, but they didn’t have time”.
“But Kyle arrived in the position, and after Calafiori made a good goal. But we knew that always every free-kick that they contact quick with the wingers and they are really good with Saka and Martinelli, and I don’t like the back-four when it’s a foul and they move on”.
“When the referee says: Come to talk to me… at least leave him to come back to the position. Because next time, we will not go to talk to them”.
Arsenal took the lead before half-time through Gabriel but were reduced to ten men as Leandro Trossard was sent off with a second yellow card. Substitute John Stones rescued a point for Manchester City in the final minute of added time as the two heavyweights shared the spoils in Manchester.
