"He should let me get back" - Kyle Walker fumes with refereeing performance in Manchester City's draw against 10-man Arsenal
Kyle Walker has bemoaned referee Michael Oliver's performance in Manchester City's 2-2 draw against 10-man Arsenal on Sunday (September 22). The English defender was frustrated with the official for his role in the Gunners' equalizer.
Riccardo Calafiori drew the visitors level at the Etihad with a goal-of-the-season contender. Walker was out of position when the Italian left-back ventured forward and struck a brilliant effort past City goalkeeper Ederson.
Walker had spoken to Oliver just before restarting the game and felt he didn't give him enough time to get back in position. He told BBC Radio 5 Live:
"I've not gone over to the referee. Me and Bukayo (Saka) have not gone over - he's called us over. If I'm being called over, he should wait and allow me to get back in position before the ball is then over my head. If I go over by my own accord and I'm out of position, it's my fault. But I'm in position, he's called the two captains to calm the players down."
Walker compared the situation to that of a goalkeeper who he argues would have been given time to get back in goal:
"I'm walking back saying: Lads, concentrate, nothing stupid, make sure we get through this. The ball is then going over my head... If I was a goalkeeper, does he let me get back in my net? Of course. I'm a defender, I'm the first line of defence, he should let me get back in and be set and then blow the whistle."
Manchester City had taken the lead through Erling Haaland in the ninth minute before Calafiori struck back 13 minutes later. Arsenal took the lead in the 45+1st minute when Gabriel Magalhaes easily lost Walker and headed home.
Drama ensued at the Etihad when Leandro Trossard received two quick yellow cards and a sending-off on the stroke of halftime. The Cityzens struggled to make the most of the one-man advantage, but John Stones netted a crucial 90+8th minute equalizer.
"We'll not go to talk" - Pep Guardiola echoed Walker's sentiments after Manchester City's draw vs Arsenal
Pep Guardiola was equally irritated with Oliver's decision to restart the game with Walker out of position. The Manchester City boss vented his frustrations in his post-match press conference (via Fabrizio Romano):
"Next time, we’ll not go to talk to the referee. Kyle Walker was just right. The referee asked him to come to talk to him and the other ones, and when that happens some players have to be close to the ball, and we have to readjust the back-four, but they didn't have time."
Oliver's performance drew the ire of both title rivals, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta unhappy with Trossard's sending-off. The Belgian attacker fouled Bernardo Silva before kicking the ball away and was shown red.