Pep Guardiola insisted he would not make a “Mikel Arteta comment” when pressed for his opinions on the referee’s decision not to play the advantage against Tottenham on Sunday when Jack Grealish broke free on goal.
In the fourth minute of extra time, with the score tied at 3-3, City launched themselves up the pitch in pursuit of a late winner. Grealish was played in behind the Spurs defence but the referee chose to pull the game back for a foul on Erling Haaland in midfield.
City’s players were infuriated by the call and crowded the referee to protest his decision. However, Guardiola refused to be drawn into word games. Speaking to Sky Sports about the late controversy after his side fell to their third consecutive draw in the Premier League, Guardiola said: “Next question. I will not do a Mikel Arteta comment.” Although he did eventually give his take.
“It is hard when you review the image, the referee decides to blow the whistle after he has already said to play on. After the pass, the whistle, so I do not understand this action,” he added.
“It was a good game, that is the most important thing. It was a pity, same as the Liverpool game, I had the feeling that today that we made an incredible performance in all departments, against a really good team and manager and how they play.
“We created a lot of chances, we were aggressive, incredibly concentrated, and the feeling is that we still want to be there [at the top of the table]. It is a pity. Sometimes football is like life, you do not get what you deserve.”
Arteta landed in hot water with the Football Association (FA) over comments he made after Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle last month. The Gunners boss branded the VAR decision not to rule out Anthony Gordon’s goal during his side’s visit to St James’ Park “an absolute disgrace”.
Arteta was charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.1 for his comments. The FA stated that the Spaniard’s words constituted misconduct “as they are insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute.”
