Tensions flared at the end of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City, as Kyle Walker and Erling Haaland confronted Nicolas Jover.
A single strike from Gabriel Martinelli, which took an unfortunate deflection off Nathan Ake, proved sufficient to settle this high-stakes Premier League clash at Emirates Stadium.
Given Arsenal’s previous season disappointment in missing out on the title to City, their jubilation was understandably intense. However, their post-match celebrations seemed to push the boundaries.
As the City players made their way towards the tunnel, seasoned defender Kyle Walker turned back to address Arsenal’s set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, who had previously worked at the Etihad Stadium from 2019 to 2021.
This confrontation escalated into a heated exchange of words, with the prolific striker Erling Haaland also becoming involved.
It took the intervention of staff members from both teams, along with Bukayo Saka attempting to play the role of peacemaker, to defuse the situation.
Pep Guardiola was not involved in the post-game spat but claims to know what went on and why. He told reporters afterwards: “I know what happened but I won’t say anything. They [Arsenal] know it.” Gary Neville, who was on punditry duty for Sky Sports, said of the incident: “Football players don’t like set-pieces on the training pitch, let alone the opposition set-piece coach having a go.”
Ex-Arsenal winger Theo Walcott added on the potential reasons for Walker and City losing their cool: “We always look at Man City as being very professional and not reacting in situations and that’s where I feel like a nerve has been hit here. He’s definitely caught it there.”
Guardiola’s team has now experienced consecutive Premier League losses for the first time since December 2018.
Meanwhile, Arsenal, who remain undefeated, find themselves tied on points with Tottenham at the summit of the league table.