Tensions neared a breaking point in the aftermath of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory against Manchester City, as Kyle Walker and Erling Haaland had a heated exchange with Nicolas Jover.
City’s players were heading towards the tunnel after leaving the field when veteran defender Walker doubled back to confront Arsenal’s set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover who had previously worked at the Etihad Stadium from 2019 to 2021.
Heated words were exchanged and Haaland joined the altercation before staff members from both teams intervened, with Bukayo Saka attempting to mediate the situation.
Walker took to social media to address his side’s back-to-back league defeats to Wolves and Arsenal.
Taking on Instagram, he wrote: “Back to back defeats is a level we cannot and will not accept. We have a period of time now to put things right and regroup and show everyone our true level. Thank you for your support today.”
Pep Guardiola was not directly involved in the post-game altercation but claimed to be aware of what transpired and its reasons.
He later shared his insights with reporters.“I know what happened but I won’t say anything. They [Arsenal] know it.”
Read Also:McTominay’s Late Double Rescues Manchester United
Gary Neville, who was on punditry duty for Sky Sports, said, “Football players don’t like set-pieces on the training pitch, let alone the opposition set-piece coach having a go.”
Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott also weighed in on the possible causes behind Walker and City’s loss of composure. “We always look at Man City as being very professional and not reacting in situations and that’s where I feel like a nerve has been hit here.“
Subscribe to Switch TV for more exciting content
Guardiola’s side have now suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League for the first time since December 2018 whereas Arsenal remain unbeaten and share the top spot on the table with Tottenham.
