Arsenal fans criticise Michael Owen for his negative comments on Mikel Arteta's reaction following Manchester City draw

The highly anticipated Premier League match on Sunday was marred by controversy and heated exchanges, as players clashed and tempers flared on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium.

Leandro Trossard’s contentious red card on the stroke of half-time forced the Gunners to drastically change their game-plan after the break and the visitors came within touching distance of a famous backs-to-the-wall victory until John Stones’ stoppage-time equaliser.

After Stones’ strike, which followed Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel’s earlier efforts, Haaland – who scored Sunday’s opener – was seen throwing the ball at Gabriel’s head, an act Ian Wright has since described as ‘cowardly’.

The City striker was later overheard telling Arteta to ‘stay humble’ as the two teams clashed at the final whistle and the Arsenal head coach managed to keep his composure, before taking aim at the officials in his post-match interview with .

On Trossard’s second yellow for kicking the ball away, Arteta said: ‘It is very obvious, I don’t need to talk about it.

‘I think the red card is very clear, very obvious what people think. It is not my job to come here and judge what happened.

‘My job is to survive in one of the most difficult environments there is in football for 55 minutes and try to get things done to survive. The rest is not my job.’

The Belgian’s sending off came after City attacker Jeremy Doku went unpunished for a similar action earlier on in the first half.

Arteta added: ‘It has already happened twice in five games which is very worrying to see in the best league the Premier League.

‘It makes the situation impossible. It is very, very hard to play with 11 players, with ten it is impossible.

‘With ten you have to defend your six-yard box time and time again.’

Former Liverpool and Manchester United forward Owen enjoyed the match between last year’s champions and runners-up but took to X, formerly known as Twitter, 24 hours after the game to blast Arteta’s criticism of the officiating on show.

‘Great game yesterday but Arteta’s reaction and comments after were poor yet again,’ Owen wrote.

‘It was a certain red card for Trossard.

‘The only team hard done by was City as [referee] Michael Oliver allowed the game to restart a couple of seconds too early in the lead up to Arsenal’s equaliser.’

Great game yesterday but Arteta’s reaction and comments after were poor yet again. It was a certain red card for Trossard. The only team hard done by was City as Michael Oliver allowed the game to restart a couple of seconds too early in the lead up to Arsenal’s equaliser.

— Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) September 23, 2024

Before long, Arsenal fans began piling on Owen, with the tweet accumulating over 2,000 replies at the time of writing.

Why wasn’t Doku shown a yellow card for the same thing Trossard got one. Bet you won’t answer this question

— P™ (@SemperFiArsenal) September 23, 2024

More than 24 hours after the game has finished and Arsenal Football Club is still on your mind lol

— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) September 23, 2024

If it was a certain red card (second yellow) for Trossard then why isn’t it for every other player in the league that kicks the ball away. Blatant corruption!

“The only team hard done by was City” 🤣🤣🤣

— Le African Gooner (@leafricangooner) September 23, 2024

I can’t believe what I’ve just read

Of everything that happened in the game, THIS is what you could come up with ???

— 𝕄𝕚𝕔𝕠𝕝𝕠 (@official_micolo) September 23, 2024

Stay away from punditry!!!!

— Emir of Kogi (@sevalaoye) September 24, 2024

You wanted him to smile after getting robbed?

— The chelsea lad🇺🇬 (@iam_igumira) September 23, 2024

Absolute garbage but wasn’t expecting any better from you . Wouldn’t have thought you had the balls to hold your mate to account. Pathetic!!!!

— The Gunners Den (@TheGunnersD3n) September 23, 2024

When football pundits still moan about a Match 24 hrs after it was played know for a certain, that the team complained about did the right things. Keep crying!!!.

— Chikelue Umeokeke.Esq. (@PurposefulChike) September 23, 2024

Fortunately for Arteta, Trossard will be available for Arsenal’s next Premier League match against Leicester as he will serve his one-match suspension in the side’s Carabao Cup tie with Bolton on Wednesday.

The north London giants sit fourth in the table ahead of their clash with Leicester, two points adrift of top-of-the-table City.

Pep Guardiola’s side face Watford in the cup this evening before returning to Premier League against Newcastle at St James’ Park this weekend.

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