Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City has left more than just points shared – it’s left City rattled, and the Gunners are loving every second of it.
With John Stones scoring a dramatic 98th-minute equalizer, tensions boiled over both on the pitch and in the dressing rooms, but Arsenal’s players seem to think they’ve landed a psychological blow on the reigning champions.
Reports suggest that the Arsenal squad has been buzzing since the final whistle, with text messages flying around about City’s frustration.
One unnamed player reportedly sent a message saying, “They are fuming!!” It seems the Gunners are relishing the idea that they’ve got under City’s skin, especially after some heated exchanges involving Erling Haaland and Gabriel Magalhaes.
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City rattled, but Gunners unfazed
Following the game, Bernardo Silva didn’t hold back, criticizing Arsenal’s tactics, while John Stones and Manuel Akanji called the approach "dirty." Despite the noise, Arsenal players aren’t backing down. Instead, they’ve turned it into locker-room banter, with City’s irritation providing the team with some extra motivation.
Pep Guardiola, usually cool-headed, has also been dragged into the aftermath. The Man City boss admitted to texting Mikel Arteta after the game, trying to smooth things over, saying, “The opponents can play how they want to, it's up to us to handle them. The relationship with Mikel doesn’t change.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, for his part, is backing his team’s efforts, despite the comments coming their way. “The team has a desire to compete in any context to win and to adapt,” Arteta said. He acknowledged that the team wanted all three points but emphasized how proud he is of their fighting spirit.
Arteta’s Arsenal have shown they’re not afraid to take on the big boys – and if they leave their rivals a bit ‘fuming’ along the way, that’s just an added bonus.
