City Xtra
·4 October 2024
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Yahoo sportsCity Xtra
·4 October 2024
One of Manchester City’s first-team stars had to be ‘restrained’ as part of the heated post-match scenes against Arsenal, according to new information emerging this week.
The incident occurred at the full-time whistle of an enthralling battle at the Etihad Stadium, that saw the Premier League’s two title challengers from the last couple of seasons go head-to-head in a four-goal thriller.
Erling Haaland’s first-half opener was cancelled out by goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes before the half-time interval and Leandro Trossard’s dismissal before the break, forcing Mikel Arteta into a nine-man defensive system for the whole of the second-half.
John Stones’ 98th minute equaliser would bring the scoring back on level terms after relentless pressure from the Premier League champions would break the Arsenal frustration tactics and a stubborn rearguard.
The late drama would spark scenes between both sides at the full-time whistle, with clashes between both sets of players around the centre-circle and even more so in post-match media duties.
Now, according to the information of MailSport’s Sami Mokbel, members of the Arsenal bench were left ‘shocked’ at Manchester City captain Kyle Walker and his ‘fury’ in the aftermath of John Stones’ late equaliser against the Gunners last month.
As both benches clashed in the final exchanges of the Etihad Stadium contest, the report details that Walker’s ‘furious reaction’ had taken many sat on the Arsenal bench by ‘surprise’, as the City captain ‘had to be restrained’ at one point but eventually regained composure.
Walker has endured somewhat of an resurgence in the Manchester City system since a slow start to the season saw him excluded from Lee Carsley’s opening squad announcement as interim head coach of the England national team.
The 33-year-old veteran full-back will return to the international set-up in October, accompanying Manchester City defensive teammate Rico Lewis for the Three Lions, and mainstay England representative John Stones.
Manchester City take on Fulham in their final game before the international break, as Marco Silva’s side travel to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon hoping to avoid defeat as they have done since the first game of the season.