IT'S ALL GONE ETI-MAD
Furious Pep Guardiola lashes out and kicks chair with Man City stars fuming at Arsenal’s stunning equaliser
Etihad chief loses cool - but was it over a refereeing decision or his dozing players?
FURIOUS Pep Guardiola KARATE-KICKED a chair after his Manchester City team lost their heads over a stunning Arsenal equaliser.
Riccardo Calafiori's long-range swerver cancelled out Erling Haaland's opener in Sunday's astonishing, action-packed Premier League clash.
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City were caught cold by a quick free-kick, with Calafiori eventually sweeping a first-time left-footer into the far top corner.
Home stars raced over to referee Michael Oliver - seemingly unhappy that the Gunners had been allowed to take the dead-ball so swiftly.
But while Oliver shrugged off on-field complaints, City's dug-out staff appeared, if anything, even angrier with events.
However, it was unclear if Guardiola's rage was directed at Oliver - or, very probably, his own players for being mugged by Arsenal's smart dead-ball play.
The Spaniard gestured wildly to his backroom team.
And no doubt there will be a huge inquest into the incident - among with many others amid an extraordinary game.
The contest had begun bizarrely and worryingly for City.
Rodri tumbled over within EIGHT SECONDS, forcing a long delay for treatment, with the midfielder then being substituted on 20 minutes.
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But City were initially in ominous form after that, Haaland striding clear to finish with a low left-footer full of swagger in just the ninth minute.
So when Gabriel Martinelli teed up Calafiori for a sublime but surprise equaliser 13 minutes later, Guardiola had plenty of reasons to be fuming.
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Arsenal ratings vs Man City
TEN-MAN Arsenal came desperately close to beating Man City.
Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta's men, John Stones popped up in the 98th minute to score an equaliser with the match ending 2-2.
Here's how the players rated...
DAVID RAYA – 9
Well beaten for Haaland’s opener but continued his impressive start to the season with some super second half stops – notably from Haaland and Gvardiol.
RICARDO CALAFIORI – 8
A full debut the Italian won’t forget. Didn’t get close enough to Savinho for the opening goal but made amends with his stunning long range curler to level it.
GABRIEL – 9
Planted one header over but made no mistake with his second one just before the break to score for the second straight weekend.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
Clattered by Haaland early on and lost the Norwegian for City’s goal - but dusted himself down and led the rearguard action for the visitors superbly.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 8
Asked to play an unfamiliar role on the right but did a great job for his boss keeping the livewire Doku quiet – and did fine when Pep changed it around too.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Caused Walker plenty of problems in the first half. Played the ball back for Calafiori to score and teed up another great chance for Trossard.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Helped Arsenal work their way back into the game after early onslaught – and protected the back four so well when City were camped on the edge of the box.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Quick thinking from free-kick led to equaliser – also involved in the collision with Rodri that changed the course of the game.
BUKAYO SAKA – 6
Always a threat with his corners – not least when Arsenal got their second. Subbed at the break to make way for an extra defender.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Steered good chance over. Booked for pulling back Savinho then a second yellow for barge on Silva and then delaying the restart. Stupid from the Belgian.
KAI HAVERTZ – 7
Early collision with Rodri and caused a few problems in the first half but then had to focus on helping his 10 man team out defensively.
SUBS
WHITE - 7
(For Saka 46) – Thrown on to shore up the defence at the break – and did exactly that.
KIWIOR - 6
(For Calafiori 74 )– Gave the Italian a rest for the final few minutes and kept it tight.
JESUS - 6
(For Martinelli 87) – Some good pressing against his old team in the closing minutes
LEWIS SKELLY - 6
(For Timber 90) – Good experience for the youngster but was bizarrely booked before even coming on for his debut.
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It sparked the Gunners' best spell of the game - peaking with Gabriel Magalhaes soaring to head them 2-1 up in first-half stoppage time from Bukayo Saya's backpost corner.
However, still before the break, Arsenal's Leandro Trossard then picked up a controversial red card, via a soft second booking.
Arsenal put on an incredible defensive display in the second half but couldn't get to the full-time whistle.
John Stones popped up with a 98th minute equaliser with the match ending 2-2.