Arteta bristles at ‘dark arts’ narrative after draw

Mikel Arteta has hit back at claims from several Manchester City players that Arsenal employed “dark arts” in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Etihad Stadium by insisting several of his players could be facing injury layoffs.

John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Bernardo Silva were all critical of the Gunners’ approach last weekend as the visitors attempted to defend a 2-1 lead with 10 men, only for Stones to equalise in the 98th minute.

After the game, Stones said Arsenal “have done [dark arts] for a few years — you can call it clever or dirty,” while Akanji and Silva accused them of time-wasting.

Gabriel Martinelli, Jurriën Timber and Riccardo Calafiori were all substituted in the second half while goalkeeper David Raya was seen leaving the stadium with his right knee bandaged.