- Man City players were furious that Riccardo Calafiori’s goal was awarded
- Kyle Walker hit out at the referee as a quick free kick led to an Arsenal goal
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Kyle Walker and his Manchester City team-mates were furious after Arsenal equalised in Sunday’s big Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s visiting side started from behind as Erling Haaland scored his 100th City goal in a magnificent display to give the home side a deserved lead in the ninth minute.
Their lead was then erased when Arsenal’s summer signing Riccardo Calafiori scored a sensational first goal for the club to draw level against the run of play.
There was heated discussion with referee Michael Oliver when Arsenal’s goal was confirmed. Walker led the charge and reprimanded the match official for allowing a free-kick to be taken too quickly.
Oliver had pulled Walker and Bukayo Saka into the middle of the pitch for a chat after being awarded a free-kick, but the referee allowed the set-piece to be taken before the City defender could return to his position.
Kyle Walker (third from right) and his Manchester City team-mates were furious after Arsenal equalised in Sunday’s big Premier League match
Walker (left) was caught out of position as he attempted to recover from an Arsenal free kick
Arsenal attacked down the wing through Gabriel Martinelli, who passed the ball to an unmarked Calafiori for a stunning goal.
Walker and his colleagues were sent off by Oliver, while City manager Pep Guardiola also became furious in the dugout as officials allowed the goal to stand and gave Arsenal the chance to secure a home victory.
Guardiola was so angry that he kicked his chair in the technical line and cursed Walker for being in the wrong place.
Analysing the bizarre half-time situation, former City Premier League winner Micah Richards admitted Walker’s anger was justified but insisted he could have been back in position sooner.
Riccardo Calafiori scored a sensational first goal for Arsenal as the visitors punished Walker in the wrong position
“You see it here with the foul and where the foul is, they call Kyle Walker over to see what’s going on and talk to the referee,” Richards told Sky Sports.
‘Kyle Walker comes running, he should actually sprint, Arsenal take the free kick and it goes a bit too easily.
“I feel sorry for him in the beginning because he wasn’t quite ready, but he could have been back quicker,” he said.
City’s problems were compounded when Gabriel scored to put Arsenal 2-1 up before half-time. However, they hit back in the dying minutes of the game, with John Stones equalising in the 98th minute to make it a 2-2 draw.