Man City 2:2 Arsenal: Premier League draw at Etihad Stadium a “miracle” despite “dark arts”

After Erling Haaland had put City ahead, the hosts were left annoyed at the set-up for Riccardo Calafiori's equaliser, with referee Oliver allowing Arsenal a quick free kick when Walker returned to his position after questioning opposite number Bukayo Saka.

Manager Pep Guardiola kicked his chair in the City dugout in frustration and let fourth official Madley know what he thought both during the game and at the end of it.

While he acknowledged that his team should have taken control of the situation by sending the remaining defenders across the pitch to fill the space and standing over the ball to prevent a quick free kick, he also said that in the future he would instruct Walker not to go to the referee in such a situation, but would ask the referee to go to him.

City had previously been without midfielder Rodri in the 21st minute after he twisted his knee in a collision with Arsenal's Thomas Partey.

Rodri also fell to the ground in the first few seconds after a collision with Kai Havertz, but the video assistant referee (VAR) did not consider this to be a penalty.

“It all started in the first second. From the very first action we knew what was going to happen,” added Silva.

“One of our players was injured after they sent him to the ground twice in ten minutes. We conceded a goal after the referee called our captain and then didn't allow him to return to his position.”

“For the second goal, it was the usual blocking of our goalkeeper that the referee allowed. And then the referee allowed a series of time-consuming actions.

“What bothers me most are the many meetings with the FA at the beginning of each season. They tell us they will get such situations under control and put a stop to them, but in the end it is of no use. They say a lot, but nothing happens.”

When asked about the difference between City's rivalry with Arsenal and the rivalry with Liverpool during the Jürgen Klopp era, Silva replied: “I don't know. Maybe Liverpool have won the Premier League before and Arsenal haven't. Maybe Liverpool have won the Champions League before and Arsenal haven't.”

“Liverpool have always faced us head-on and tried to win the games. From that perspective, the games against Arsenal were not like the ones we had and have against Liverpool.”

The controversy contributed to an exciting afternoon that will live long in the memories – but Arteta said he wished the game had not hinged on the referee's decisions.

“I can’t be happy,” said the Spaniard at the end of his post-match press conference.

“I want to be involved in a game at this level, which puts the game in a situation that we can enjoy and talk about in an appropriate way. We don't talk about that. That's clear. They didn't ask me a single tactical question.”