“Arteta is happy now, isn’t he”- Man City Boss Pep Guardiola calls out Mikel Arteta after controversial referee decision hurts Man City and costs them a win against Spurs last night

Pep Guardiola calls out Mikel Arteta after controversial referee decision hurts Man City

Pep Guardiola took a dig at his former assistant.

Pep Guardiola insisted he would not make a “Mikel Arteta comment” when pressed for his opinions on the referee’s decision not to play the advantage against Tottenham on Sunday when Jack Grealish broke free on goal late in the game.

In the fourth minute of extra time, with the score tied at 3-3, City launched themselves up the pitch in pursuit of a late winner. Grealish was played in behind the Spurs defence but the referee chose to pull the game back for a foul on Erling Haaland in midfield.

City’s players were infuriated by the call and crowded referee Simon Hooper to protest his decision. However, Guardiola refused to be drawn into word games. Speaking to Sky Sports about the late controversy after his side fell to their third consecutive draw in the Premier League, Guardiola said: “Next question. I will not do a Mikel Arteta comment.” Although he did eventually give his take.

“It is hard when you review the image, the referee decides to blow the whistle after he has already said to play on. After the pass, the whistle, so I do not understand this action,” he added.

“It was a good game, that is the most important thing. It was a pity, same as the Liverpool game, I had the feeling that today that we made an incredible performance in all departments, against a really good team and manager and how they play.

“We created a lot of chances, we were aggressive, incredibly concentrated, and the feeling is that we still want to be there [at the top of the table]. It is a pity. Sometimes football is like life, you do not get what you deserve.”