PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have flagged concerns about Arsenal’s use of the ‘dark arts’ last season.
And clubs might just do the same again after Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City.
The Daily Mail reports that Arsenal’s apparent gamesmanship was the talk of the top flight last year.
Coaching staff and analysts across the division openly and frequently discussed the ‘dark arts’ from the Gunners among themselves.
Arsenal were on the receiving end of heavy criticism after their trip to Newcastle and Wolves in 2023 and when Brighton gained momentum in the Seagulls’ defeat last December – to name but a few.
Mikel Arteta’s side were again accused of using delaying tactics as they aimed to hold onto their 2-1 lead in the second half at the Eithad.
Arsenal were down to 10 men after Leandro Trossard was booked for kicking the ball away in the eighth minute of first half stoppage time.
Arsenal midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly also received a yellow card while on the touchline at 65 minutes – half-an-hour before making his Prem debut.
The 17-year-old was cautioned after walking behind David Raya‘s goal shortly before the keeper went down with cramp ahead of goal kick.
The Mail report cites the PGMOL revealed the midfielder was cautioned for “showing a lack of respect for the game”.
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Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville claimed on commentary: “There is no doubt that is a tactic.”
Several other stars went down with curious injuries such as cramp – but they were forced into working hard to stop Man City scoring.
Arsenal retreated into a low block to frustrate the hosts.
But sub John Stones equalised for City with almost the last kick of the game in the 98th minute.
Tempers boiled over in the aftermath, with Erling Haaland seen arguing with Gabriel Jesus, and Bernardo Silva had plenty to infer when he said Liverpool had always faced City “head on”.
SunSport reported this week that Arsenal have wasted the most time on average so far this season.
The data looked at when the game stops for corners, free-kicks, goal kicks, kick-offs, penalties, drop balls and throw-ins.
And the Gunners take an average of 33.5 seconds each time – the joint-longest in the league alongside Aston Villa.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Arteta said: “We have already moved on and are ready to battle again.”
