By Willow Austin
Published on 2024-04-02 09:16:38
Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji expressed his frustration with the refereeing decisions in the match against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Akanji felt that several Arsenal players should have received yellow cards for their tackles early in the game, but referee Anthony Taylor did not take action. The match ended in a goalless draw, with both teams earning a point. However, Manchester City remains in third place in the league, three points behind leaders Liverpool and just one point behind Arsenal.
With only nine matches left to play in the season, the outcome of the game could have significant implications for the title race. If Liverpool were to win the league, it would prevent Manchester City from making history by winning the Premier League title for a fourth consecutive season.
Speaking after the match, Akanji highlighted specific incidents where he believed Arsenal players should have been booked. He singled out Kai Havertz and Jorginho for their tackles, especially referencing a late challenge by Havertz on Stefan Ortega. Akanji questioned why Taylor did not show yellow cards for these fouls.
Akanji stated, “I don’t understand. One [foul] in the first half [from Kai Havertz] was a very late tackle on Stefan [Ortega]. For me, it is clearly a yellow card. There are some rules, and I think there are clear yellow cards where it should be. I remember the action with Jorginho when he’d already done a tackle foul, and did the second one, and he didn’t even give a yellow card for one foul. I didn’t understand some decisions.”
He also mentioned the defensive tactics employed by Arsenal, with their six-man back line and frequent use of long balls. Akanji felt that these tactics made it difficult for Manchester City to break through, and the Gunners resorted to fouling when City did manage to create chances.
Looking ahead, Akanji and his teammates will aim to bounce back from the disappointment of the draw when they face Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium in their next Premier League fixture.
Overall, Akanji’s comments shed light on the frustrations experienced by Manchester City players during the match against Arsenal. While both teams ultimately earned a point, the contentious refereeing decisions and physical play by the Gunners left a bitter taste for Akanji and his teammates. As the title race heats up in the final stretch of the season, every point and decision will be crucial for Manchester City’s hopes of securing another league title.
