Pep Guardiola angrily 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 take a 2-1 lead at the break thanks to goals from Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Calafiori, who joined Arsenal in the summer, scored his first Premier League goal with a stunning strike from distance as the visitors capitalised on a quick free-kick taken near the centre circle.
As soon as the left-back’s shot rippled into the net, Manchester City players ran towards Michael Oliver in furious protest, arguing that he had not given captain Kyle Walker (who had been called off by the referee) enough time to return to his position.
With Walker out with a cold, Gabriel Martinelli was able to break away down the left side and assist Calafiori on the edge of the box, providing the assist for his stunning goal.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola angrily kicked a chair after Arsenal’s draw at the Etihad
Guardiola continued to gesture towards his players and the referee, visibly enraged.
Kyle Walker (third from right) and his Manchester City teammates were left fuming after the equaliser.
Riccardo Calafiori scored Arsenal’s equaliser with a spectacular shot from outside the area
Guardiola lashed out, kicking his chair and the Etihad and shouting vehemently while gesticulating with his arms, visibly furious at Arsenal being allowed to equalise.
Walker, whose Manchester City side remain top on 13 points after the 2-2 thriller at the Etihad, spoke about the incident and his exchange with Oliver.
He told Radio 5 Live: ‘I’m never going to go on national television, on national radio and start criticising people because there’s enough of that going on around the world.
‘What I’m saying is that I haven’t approached the referee. Neither me nor Bukayo (Saka) have approached the referee, he has called us.
‘So if I go to the referee on my own volition 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 attempted to return from an Arsenal free-kick.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Guardiola’s side, who searched for an equaliser throughout the second half but managed to score at the last moment to salvage a 2-2 draw.
“If he calls me, if I go on my own, that’s fine. But he calls the two captains and then doesn’t let me return to my position…
“If I were a goalkeeper, would he let me back in the goal? Of course. I’m a defender, I’m in the first line of defence, so he should let me back in, prepare myself and then blow the whistle.”
Arsenal sit fourth in the table after three wins and two draws, with only Liverpool and Aston Villa separating the Gunners from the champions after five games so far.
