Pep Guardiola has made his feelings known regarding the officiating during the intense 2-2 draw between Manchester City and Arsenal. The match, filled with drama and controversy, saw City take an early lead but face setbacks due to injuries and contentious referee decisions.
Cityโs momentum shifted after Rodriโs injury, allowing Arsenal to capitalize with a goal from Riccardo Calafiori. The performance of referee Michael Oliver was a focal point of criticism, particularly after he allowed Arsenal to take a quick free-kick while Kyle Walker was distracted.
Tensions peaked when Leandro Trossard received a red card for kicking the ball away, further complicating the match for Arsenal. Guardiolaโs frustration was palpable, especially when City conceded the equalizer just before halftime.
Reflecting on the game, Guardiola expressed his initial annoyance with Walker for the goal, but later clarified that the situation was not entirely the defenderโs fault. He emphasized the importance of referees allowing players to return to their positions after being called over for discussions.
Guardiola stated, โWhen the referee asks a player to come talk, they should at least allow them to return to their position before play resumes. Next time, we may not respond to their requests.โ
The City managerโs comments highlight ongoing concerns about officiating standards in the Premier League, particularly in high-stakes matches.