Report: What Premier League Rivals are Saying About Arsenal with Concerns Sent to PGMOL

Arsenal’s tactics during Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Manchester City have drawn widespread attention, revealing a new approach to the Gunners’ game plan.

In the latter years of Arsene Wenger’s management, Arsenal were often criticised for being too ‘nice,’ missing the presence of a Patrick Vieira-type figure in midfield.

Under Mikel Arteta, however, this perception has shifted. Arsenal have now become skilled in the ‘dark arts’ of football, as demonstrated during their match at the Etihad.

Following Leandro Trossard’s red card, Arteta’s team played without a striker and focused on disrupting any momentum Manchester City tried to build.

For significant stretches, this strategy proved effective.

David Raya took his time restarting the game, and several Arsenal players appeared to suffer from cramps, even though the concerns may have been legitimate.

Arsenal’s Premier League Rivals Have Sent Their Concerns to the PGMOL

According to a report by the Mail Online, discussions about Arsenal’s use of gamesmanship tactics were prevalent in the Premier League last season.

Coaches and analysts across various teams reportedly had open conversations about Arsenal’s so-called ‘dark arts’ approach.

The report highlighted a recent incident involving Myles Lewis-Skelly during Arsenal’s match against Manchester City on Sunday. This incident was cited as the latest example of such behavior.

In that match, Lewis-Skelly made Premier League history by becoming the first player to receive a yellow card before officially making his debut in the competition.

He was penalised for gesturing towards goalkeeper Raya to slow down play and waste more time.

The growing concern about time-wasting tactics is not new. Last season, Premier League clubs raised the issue with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), expressing their unease with such practices.

Interestingly, Arsène Wenger, who played a pivotal role at Arsenal, may not be too happy with his former club’s actions.

In his current role as FIFA’s chief of global football development, Wenger has been actively working to eradicate time-wasting in football.

Arsenal seem to be making up for lost time in certain areas, especially in the aspects of the game they’ve been inefficient at for many years. They are now focusing on parts of the game that had previously been overlooked or underutilized.

This does not imply that Manchester City’s performance was entirely above reproach on Sunday. City are also known for occasionally bending the rules during matches, demonstrating that both teams are willing to push boundaries on the pitch.

Dermot Gallagher offered his perspective on Erling Haaland’s actions when he threw the ball at Gabriel’s head following City’s equalizer in the 2-2 draw.

This moment was seen as a significant point in the ongoing title race, highlighting the intensity of the competition.

Many fans and pundits expect such high-stakes matches to be intense, with players fiercely competing, as it adds to the excitement of the game. The tension and competitiveness are often viewed as integral to the overall spectacle.

However, questions remain regarding how PGMOL will address concerns about Arsenal’s tactics, especially considering how effective those tactics have been for them so far. The response of the officials will be crucial in shaping future matches.

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