Manuel Akanji explains exactly what Arsenal did throughout Manchester City clash in ‘dark arts’ masterclass | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji has explained exactly what Arsenal did at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in a clear showing of their ‘dark arts’ abilities.

The winning run of the Premier League champions in the top-flight came to an end at the hands of Mikel Arteta’s side, with the two title challengers playing out a dramatic 2-2 draw at the weekend.

Erling Haaland put Manchester City ahead inside the opening 10 minutes, before goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes moved Arsenal into the advantage prior to the half-time interval.

Leandro Trossard’s dismissal before the break saw Mikel Arteta revert his side to a nine-man defence protecting David Raya’s goal, while the squad as a whole turned to time-wasting tactics to frustrate Manchester City and the home support.

Ultimately, John Stones would spoil Arsenal’s attempts at victory, striking in the eighth minute of additional time to earn a point for Manchester City and ensure that they remain unbeaten and top of the Premier League table.

Speaking after the 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji detailed the exact conduct issued by the Gunners’ players in a clear attempt at football’s ‘dark arts’ at the Etihad Stadium.

“With the time-wasting, we cannot control this. It is up to the referee to do,” he said when quizzed on the visitors’ attempts at slowing the game down. “But in the end, it’s obviously hard to score against anyone who has 10 with the ‘keeper in their own box. So we tried our best.”

Akanji continued, “But if you don’t concede the two goals, then it looks differently. It was maybe one goal too much.

“That’s what they’re looking for in the end [breaking up the game], we have to defend ourselves because in every duel, every free kick that was given, they went on the floor.

“Players go on the floor to get up, sprint back again, go on the floor again, one of their team went over to tell the ‘keeper to go on the floor and stuff like this. I mean, there’s nothing we can do about it.

“In the end, It’s up to the referee to control throughout the whole season, to control these situations. But yeah, there’s nothing else we can do about it.”

Manchester City return to action almost immediately this week by taking on Carabao Cup third round action at the Etihad Stadium, with kick-off against Watford scheduled just 49 hours after the full-time whistle against Arsenal.

The meeting with the Championship side will see Pep Guardiola’s side take on their first match without Rodri, who is expected to be ruled out for several months and potentially the remainder of the season with a ‘serious’ knee injury sustained against Arsenal.

The Spaniard is currently in Barcelona for further assessment on the problem, with initial testing in Manchester pointing towards a worst-case scenario for Manchester City and anterior cruciate ligament damage in the player’s right knee.