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Topics: Manchester City, Arsenal, Premier League, Manuel Akanji, John Stones
Ben McCrum
Topics: Manchester City, Arsenal, Premier League, Manuel Akanji, John Stones
Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji has spoken out against Arsenal after the two clubs drew 2-2 in a potentially season-defining top of the table clash.
Premier League champions City welcomed the Gunners to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon in an eagerly-anticipated match that could determine who lifts the title this season.
Both sides were forced to settle for a draw as, following an ill-tempered clash with plenty of controversy, the final scoreline was 2-2 after City managed to find an equaliser in the eighth minute of injury time.
Following the match, several Man City players spoke out against Arsenal and their tactics during the match, and now Akanji has had his say on the outcome of the match and how the London club played.
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"That's what they're looking for. Always when we play against them, that's what they're looking for the drama," the 29-year-old said after the game.
"It worked for them so if they're happy with the one point. We're not, we tried to get more but that's what they're happy with. At the end of the day we're still top of the league. We haven't lost a game yet. We tried, especially in the second half with one man up but it's hard with ten players defending in their own box."
Fellow defender John Stones, who scored City's crucial equaliser, accused Arsenal of using "clever and dirty" tactics throughout the match to frustated their opponents and upset their rhythm.
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When asked if he agreed, Akanji replied: "I don’t think there are many better than them at it. But in the end we always won the title and I don't think it's going to be different this year.
"I's still early in the season, I think again, we're going to win the league again, and we don’t focus too much on Arsenal."
The Swiss defender also criticised referee Michael Oliver, suggesting that he did not do a good enough job of controlling Arsenal's attempts to waste time after they took the lead through Gabriel late in the first half.
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"With the time-wasting, we cannot control this. It is up to the referee to do," he said.
"That's what they're looking for in the end [breaking up the game], we have to defend ourselves because in every duel, every free kick that was given, they went on the floor. Players go on the floor to get up, sprint back again, go on the floor again.
"I mean, there's nothing we can do about it. In the end, It's up to the referee to control throughout the whole season."