- Arteta questions key Man City decision
- City defender red card claim made
- Title-race tension continues
Mikel Arteta has claimed Manchester City were fortunate to avoid a red card in their recent Premier League clash against Arsenal.
Arsenal are back at the top following their clash against Newcastle United. The Gunners barely edged past the Magpies as Eberechi Eze’s strike was the only goal at the Emirates yesterday.
Man City, on the other hand, were playing Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals simultaneously. The City game had started just 15 minutes before Arsenal’s Premier League clash kick-off.
Pep Guardiola’s men also won by a one-goal margin against the Saints. A long-range strike from Nico Gonzalez was the differentiator in a game that was 1-1 till the 87th minute.
Despite a stronger team on paper, Arsenal barely survived against Newcastle. However, that didn’t stop Arteta from questioning the refereeing decisions as he also looked back at the game against Man City last week.
Mikel Arteta makes Abdukodir Khusanov red card claim
The 74th-minute decision against Newcastle didn’t go unnoticed, as Mikel Arteta wasn’t happy with the referee.
The Magpies’ goalkeeper, Nick Pope, rushed outside the penalty box late in the game. Pope missed the ball while trying to clear it and instead fouled Viktor Gyokeres.
The referee booked Pope. Likewise, a revision from VAR also saw no serious offence and a red card was avoided.
However, Arteta didn’t take the decision lightly and also pointed out Abdukodir Khusanov’s foul against Kai Havertz against Man City in the post-match conference.
“It’s a clear red card. I’ve watched it 10 times. If you have ever played football, it is a red card. It’s the second time in two games because I guess Manchester City, when Kai Havertz goes through, Khusanov fouls him, 1-1, the title is there … it is a red card, guys,” Arteta claimed.
Nick Pope red card would’ve helped Arsenal
While Pope avoided a red card against Arsenal, a sending off would’ve helped the Gunners in the title race.
Despite not being the best attacking side in the game, playing against a 10 men Newcastle might’ve resulted in another goal for the home side.
With 34 games played and 73 points to their name, the title race isn’t settled yet. Man City have another game to catch up against Arteta’s men.
If the Sky Blues win with just a one-goal difference, both teams will be level on points and goal difference again. This will result in an advantage to City as they have scored two more goals than Arsenal in the Premier League this season.
However, another goal against the Magpies would’ve added extra pressure on Guardiola’s men, as a victory with a single-goal margin against Everton wouldn’t have been enough in this case.
Man City avoided a possible end to the title race
Khusanov has been one of the key defenders for City this season. Following Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol’s injuries, the Uzbek centre-back has maintained the Citizens’ defensive strength.
The same goes for his performance against Arsenal, where he made 11 defensive contributions and four interceptions.
A red when the game was 1-1 would’ve seen the game against the Gunners end differently. However, Khusanov was smart enough not to overdo it against Havertz.
