Man City Players Accuse Arsenal of "Dark Arts" in Heated Etihad Clash

Manchester City players have accused Arsenal of employing “dark arts” during their intense 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, with Bernardo Silva claiming only one team came to play football. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, however, hailed the performance of his side, describing it as a “miracle” given they played most of the second half with ten men following Leandro Trossard’s controversial red card.

Trossard was sent off just before halftime, leading to Arsenal holding just 12.5% possession in the second period. Despite being heavily outshot by City, who took 28 attempts at goal, Arsenal nearly secured a landmark victory until John Stones equalized in the dying moments.

Silva criticized Arsenal’s approach, stating, “The other came to play to the limits of what was possible.” He expressed frustration over tactics that he felt disrupted the game’s flow. In contrast, Arteta argued that his team’s resilience was impressive, noting, “It’s unbelievable what we have done.”

The match was marked by contentious moments, including the circumstances of Trossard’s dismissal and the late equalizer. Arteta expressed disappointment over the officiating, particularly the timing of stoppage time, which saw City score after the board indicated seven minutes.

City defender John Stones and captain Kyle Walker also commented on Arsenal’s tactics, suggesting they often slow the game down to disrupt their rhythm. Walker acknowledged this as part of the game, referring to it as the “dark arts.”

As the two teams look ahead, the match will be remembered not just for the thrilling action, but also for the ongoing tensions between their contrasting styles of play.