MANCHESTER CITY stars Kyle Walker and Erling Haaland got into a heated argument after the champions suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time in nearly five years.
Arsenal coach Nicolas Jover incensed the pair as they left The Emirates, just moments after Gabriel Martinelli’s 86th-minute goal gave Mikel Arteta his first win over City.
The victory brought Arsenal level on points with north London rivals Tottenham, who trail Ange Postecoglou’s side in goals scored.
City are two points behind the leaders, but their rage erupted at the end when Walker squared up to Arsenal set-piece coach Jover.
The Gunners’ dead-ball specialist, who joined the club from City in July 2021, muttered something to the City bench that incensed Walker, who walked over to face Jover, who was backed up by Haaland.
A number of City personnel and coaches then arrived before Arsenal’s security staff separated the two groups and took Walker and Haaland down the tunnel, both plainly angry.
Substitute not used Jack Grealish had to be led down the tunnel and away from turmoil, as injured Arsenal player Bukayo Saka attempted to calm Jover down.
The German-born French assistant was booked during Arsenal’s game earlier this season and is known for freely sharing his thoughts on the sidelines.
City boss Pep Guardiola said: “I know what happened but I don’t want to say anything. They know it.”
Asked if he was happy with Arsenal’s conduct, the City boss added: “Yeah, absolutely.”
Arsenal manager Arteta stated he did not witness the altercation.
Despite suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time since December 2018, Guardiola is confident in his team’s chances of capturing an unprecedented fourth Premier League title in a row.
City has previously come from behind in the League, with Arsenal leading by eight points at one point last season, and Guardiola is certain it can be done again.
The Spanish boss said: “No team has ever won four in a row. We are in October. Sometimes it is good going behind, it is not the first time. Last year we were much more behind than here.
“The season is long, people will come back and we play against Brighton and [Manchester] United. Continue. Now we have two defeats in a row and then we have the internationals.
“Hopefully they come back fit and then we go again. Maybe it is a little bit better to be there and see what we have to do to catch them. We know exactly what we have to do and we do it.”