'We learned from the past' - Mikel Arteta defends 'dark arts' accusations after Manchester City draw
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Updated 24/09/2024 at 11:37 GMT
Mikel Arteta has responded after Arsenal were accused of using "dark arts" to dig in and claim a draw against Manchester City in the Premier League. The Gunners played the entire second half with 10 men following Leandro Trossard's red card and Arteta says they would have been "thick" if they didn't learn from previous games. Arteta was also asked about his post-match clash with Erling Haaland.
Arteta says 100 games will have red cards this season after Trossard dismissal
Mikel Arteta has responded to accusations that Arsenal deployed "dark arts" in their draw against Manchester City by saying they did what they needed to do and learnt from past mistakes.
The Gunners took a point from a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Etihad despite playing the entire second half with 10 men following a red card to Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal led 2-1 when Trossard was sent off and sat deep with 10 men in the hope of holding onto their lead.
They were accused afterwards by Manchester City players of using “dark arts” and trying to break up the rhythm of the game.
Asked about the accusations, Arsenal manager Arteta said: “We had to play the game that we had to play. First 10-15 minutes we couldn’t 11 against 11, then we got much better. Then we are thrown into a very different context. Every team does it.
“They played 30 seconds with 10 men, and look what they did, it’s normal what they did,” added Arteta in reference to the period early in the game when Man City midfielder Rodri was injured.
Trossard’s red card was the third in recent memory that Arsenal have been shown against Manchester City.
Gabriel was sent off against City in January 2022 and Granit Xhaka saw red in August 2021.
Xhaka was dismissed with Arsenal trailing 2-0 and they went on to lose 5-0.
“We learned from the past as well because unfortunately we have been in that situation with them three times recently,” said Arteta.
“One was with Granit after 38 minutes and we conceded how many? So we better learn, if not we will be very thick.”
Arsenal are next in action against Bolton in the League Cup on Wednesday.
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Arteta hinted that a few players could be absent due to injuries sustained in the clash with Man City.
“Let’s see who is available tomorrow and then we can talk about dark arts. Unfortunately there will be a few players not available. If a player is feigning something, then that means he will carry on and he will play. Tomorrow you will find out [who is injured].”
Arteta was also involved in a post-match clash with Man City striker Erling Haaland.
Haaland appeared to tell Arteta to “stay humble” as he walked past the Gunners boss on the pitch, sparking an angry reaction from Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus.
"I take it like a normal game - it was an emotional game, but they all are," said Arteta, shrugging off the confrontation.
"I am looking forward to Wednesday. We have already moved on and are ready to battle again."
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