Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed referees are protected “like lions in the zoo” following a week in which he has been left angered by what he considered contentious decisions by officials. Arsenal was pushed to back-foot by City and they found it hard to cope up with City’s energy in the later half. Or at least “were” considered title challengers before losing two matches in five days.
Advertisement
Ultimately Arsenal dropped to fourth place, nine points behind the leaders Chelsea.
“We have to stick together and wake ourselves up, we have to communicate with each other more if we want to be successful and that’s what happened in the second half”. Then there was pressure because we were playing Arsenal – a direct rival.
“It’s not easy when you start a game and concede a goal after three or four minutes”.
Saying his side was “unfortunate”, Wenger asked: “What can you do about the offside goals?”
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their second goal.
All he could manage was “we were a bit jaded physically”.
“We didn’t create any chances in the second half so are disappointed in that sense but you have got to give credit to City because they played some very good football at times and we found that hard”. It’s pathetic but all too predictable.
Two minutes after the restart, however, some more slack defending allowed City to level the scores. “I felt we were in control and it didn’t look like we could lose the game and every time we stopped them from creating chances”, he said.
RAHEEM STERLING (above), Manchester City winger, on his coach Pep Guardiola’s advice to him. “In terms of spirit it’s always there”.
Pep Guardiola says there is no way he will follow Arsene Wenger’s example and remain at the same club for 20 years.
There’s an ominous sense of deja vu looming.
That’s why Sunday’s game is so crucial.
His Nigeria teammate, Kelechi Iheanacho was introduced by Manchester City in the 83rd minute for his 17th league appearance of the campaign and failed to add to his three goals tally.
“We have to come back next week and win our game (at home to West Bromwich Albion)”, he said.
Against Everton Arsenal shrank in stature the longer the game wore on, while their opponents grew. City fans must have been wishing for the services of the suspended Sergio Aguero, who would have put that one way without any fuss.
Sterling’s form has mirrored City’s own this season.
Since Guardiola’s arrival in England, following stellar stints at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, there has been huge interest in whether his passing principles will prevail in the pell-mell Premier League.
“I want them to be very well protected and to be safe, but safe and a good decision is even better”.
Advertisement
Ilkay Gundogan has also been ruled out after he suffered cruciate ligament damage in midweek so Fernando is expected to partner Yaya Toure in the middle of the park.
