The debate over the 2-2 tie between Manchester City and Arsenal shows no signs of letting up. Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has replied to accusations of utilising “dark arts”. 

Arteta answers to the ‘dark arts’ controversy in Manchester City draw.
Man City and Arsenal tied 2-2 at the Etihad Stadium in the fifth round of the 2024-25 Premier League season. Arsenal’s time-wasting tactics in this encounter displeased Manchester City. Despite playing with one more man in the second half, it wasn’t until the final minute of injury time (90+8′) that Man City equalised through John Stones to gain a point. After the match, Manchester City accused Arsenal of employing “dark arts” to waste time and slow down the game when there was an opportunity. 

Several Manchester City players, notably John Stones, Bernardo Silva, and Manuel Akanji, have accused Arsenal of “cheating”. Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, also mentioned the opponent’s “cunning tactics” in a press interview.

Arteta served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City for four years.

In response to the criticism, coach Mikel Arteta spoke up. Arteta stated that he had worked as Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City for four years and was familiar with the team’s operations. “I was there four years. “I have all the information about them,” Arteta said.

Arteta also mentioned that City were known for utilising “tactical fouls” under Guardiola. And his team required a fresh approach to cope with it. “We did what other teams do. What did they do after playing for 30 seconds with ten men? What they did was very normal. We need to operate differently,” Arteta remarked, referring to the first-half injury to City’s Rodri and his replacement by Mateo Kovacic.

Arsenal were reduced to ten men in the second half after Leandro Trossard was sent off in the closing minutes of stoppage time. It was not the first time Arsenal had a player sent off early in a game against Manchester City. Granit Xhaka was sent off at the Etihad Stadium in 2021.

“We have learned from the past,” Arteta said of having to play with a man down. “Otherwise I would be very stupid – very stupid. Unfortunately, we have been in the same situation a few times. We were in that situation against Granit and we lost 5-0.”