Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted he was enraged by Kyle Walker before the defender explained what had happened in the build-up to Arsenal’s equaliser in their 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Sunday.
Guardiola kicked his seat and shouted with fury after Arsenal profited from the England international speaking to referee Michael Oliver near the halfway line.
A long free-kick found Gabriel Martinelli in space while Walker backpedalled, the winger setting up Riccardo Calafiori to curl in from outside the box and make it 1-1.
Walker later said that he had been beckoned to speak to Oliver, who he claimed had apologised for not giving him enough time to return to a position in which he would have had a greater chance of stopping Arsenal from scoring.
‘I was annoyed with Kyle [Walker] but he was right’
Pep Guardiola explains why he kicked a seat after Arsenal’s equiliser 🤨 pic.twitter.com/q0sWLKM0Lj
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
Man City vs Arsenal: Guardiola on referee
“I was, with Kyle,” Guardiola replied when he was asked by Sky Sports whether he had been annoyed. “The referee asked him to come to talk to him.
“When that happens, some players have to be close to the ball and we have to readjust the back four, but we didn’t have time. Kyle arrived in the position after Calafiori scored a good goal.
“We knew that from free-kicks they are quick to find the wingers with Saka and Martinelli. When the referee says ‘come to talk to me’, at least [let Walker] come back into position. Next time, we will not go to talk to them. It’s not a problem with Kyle.”
The Spaniard confirmed that his captain had told him the details of the situation while City were regrouping at half-time, having fallen behind during added time when Gabriel escaped Walker to head in from Bukayo Saka’s corner.
“I feel a little bit sorry for him”
Was Kyle Walker at fault for Arsenal’s first goal? 🤔…
Source link : https://www.101greatgoals.com/football/premier-league/manchester-city-vs-arsenal-goal-guardiola/
Author : Ben Miller
Publish date : 2024-09-22 21:25:18
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