Akanji predicts title win for City and attacks Arsenal amid growing rivalry: “They are always looking for drama”

MANCHESTER – An ugly rivalry is brewing between Manchester City and Arsenal after a heated 2-2 draw added to the growing bitterness between the title favorites.

Sunday's heated encounter was proof that Manchester City and Arsenal have entered the Olympus of great rivalries in the Premier League.

After Bernardo Silva and John Stones mocked Arsenal's defensive and “dirty” tactics during the tie, and Silva also attacked Arsenal for not winning anything in recent years compared to City's other main rivals Liverpool, centre-back Manuel Akanji doubled down on his criticism of Arsenal.

When asked if Arsenal was a “master of the dark arts,” a frustrated Akanji replied, “I don't think there are many better at it than her.”

And he added that City would still end up winning the Premier League title for the fifth time in a row.

“In the end, we always won the title and I don’t think it will be any different this year,” said Akanji.

Akanji criticises Arsenal’s approach

From Havertz colliding with Rodri in the opening seconds to Haaland's collision with Gabriel in the final seconds, chaos reigned across the pitch and the situation escalated several times. Arsenal's tactics embarrassed City, who were also without Rodri through injury, and Mikel Arteta's side were able to close the gap on City, with their physical approach clearly unsettling the team that has won four titles in a row.

Could Akanji summarize the drama?

“That's what they're looking for. Every time we play against them, that's what they're looking for. The drama. Going hard in the tackles, defending, 11 players in your own box and then trying to score from set pieces,” an angry Akanji told Pro Soccer Talk.

PST noticed the frustration in Akanji's voice and asked him if he was frustrated with Arsenal's actions.

“It worked out for them, so they are happy with the one point. We are not, we tried to get more, but they are happy with that,” Akanji continued.

Rivalry simmers, City is angry

Akanji was then asked if the rivalry with Arsenal had intensified as they looked to be facing an incredibly close title fight for the third year in a row.

“That's what they want at the end of the day,” Akanji said. “We have to defend because every tackle, every free kick that was given, they went down to the ground. Players go down to the ground to get up, sprint back, go down to the ground again, one of their team goes over to tell the goalkeeper to go down to the ground and things like that. I mean, there's nothing we can do about it. Ultimately, it's up to the referee to control these situations throughout the season. But yeah, there's nothing else we can do about it.”

With a man up, City put Arsenal under pressure throughout the second half, enjoying 88 percent possession and recording the second highest number of shots on goal (28) in a single half in the Premier League. City finally equalized in the 98th minute through John Stones to continue a club-record 48-game unbeaten run at home.

What does that say about the resilience of this City team?

“Of course, at the end of the day we are still top of the table,” said Akanji. “We haven't lost a game yet. We tried, especially in the second half with one more man, but it's difficult when you have ten players defending in your own penalty area. So we did our best, in the end we had to press until the end. Luckily we scored a goal in the end and got a point.”

Referee also in disrepute at Akanji

Akanji was also drawn into the refereeing controversy when he called on officials to keep Arsenal's time-wasting under better control in the future.

Michael Oliver was criticised by both teams for key decisions. Oliver allowed Arsenal to take a quick free kick for the first goal as City captain Kyle Walker was not back in position after speaking to the referee, and then sent off Leandro Trossard with a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, despite not having previously given City's Jeremy Doku a card for doing so.

“I see it that way too, Kyle and Saka were called to talk to him [referee],” said Akanji of Arsenal's first goal. “Normally, even with substitutions, you wait until the player is back in position. Walks was definitely not back in position and they took the free kick quickly. They scored a goal, what more can I say?”

All eyes are on the rematch in February

Although a crushing sense of anger overwhelmed City's side, Akanji's defiant demeanor showed their fire to go out and destroy everyone from now on, as he did not feel that this tie would determine where the title ends up this season.

“For the league, it's not decided yet. How many games have we played, five? We need to get 99 points and hopefully we can go out and get them all and then we'll see how it turns out,” said Akanji.

City's next game against Arsenal will take place at the Emirates Stadium on the weekend of 1 February 2025, which once again looks to be crucial in the title race.

“As I said earlier in the season, I think we need to win the league again and not focus too much on Arsenal,” said Akanji. “Of course the focus was on them today because we played against them, but now we won't play against them for half a year, so we'll keep focusing on our games and then we'll see.”

After this heated dispute escalated, the war of words will undoubtedly continue in the coming months.

We now know exactly what kind of game we will see at the Emirates in February. It will not be a pretty game and it will not be for the faint-hearted.