Things Got Heated Up in Emirates class
Sunday’s Premier League battle at the Emirates was more than just a game; it was a statement. The clash between two title contenders, Arsenal and Man City, was always bound to be passionate. However, an unexpected twist caught the attention of many: a fiery altercation involving Arsenal’s set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, and Man City’s players after the final whistle.
The Decisive Moment
The match itself was a nail-biter. Arsenal emerged victorious, eking out a 1-0 win thanks to a fortuitous effort by Gabriel Martinelli. His shot ricocheted off Nathan Ake, securing the Gunners a vital three points. The victory catapulted Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side to share the Premier League summit with their neighbours, Tottenham.
Tunnel Tension
Yet, it wasn’t just the match that left people talking. Kyle Walker, visibly upset, confronted Nicolas Jover while making his way to the dressing room. This incident quickly escalated, with Erling Haaland coming to his teammate’s defence. As the drama unfolded, Sky Sports cameras captured every moment. Both Arsenal and City staff rushed in, ensuring the disagreement didn’t escalate further. A spirited Bukayo Saka was seen escorting Jover, who fervently gestured towards the City players.
"A nerve has been hit here"
Kyle Walker reacts to the Arsenal set piece coach Nicolas Jover 😬 pic.twitter.com/xdZpRkWeUa
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 8, 2023
Guardiola Holds Back
The dust may have settled on the pitch, but post-match interviews reignited interest in the tunnel spat. Guardiola, the mastermind behind City’s recent successes, was predictably questioned about the confrontation. Always one for enigma, the City boss responded with a cryptic smile, remarking, “I know what happened but I won’t say anything. They [Arsenal] know it.” Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, sidestepped the issue entirely, admitting, “I haven’t seen it.”
Jover’s City Connection
The drama between Jover and City’s stars gains another layer when one considers his history. Before joining Arsenal in 2021, Jover had coached under Guardiola and alongside Arteta at the Etihad Stadium between 2019-21. His journey in the football world has seen him venture through teams like Montpellier, the Croatian national side, and Brentford. Arteta lured him to Arsenal, recognising the skills of the set-piece specialist, particularly after the exit of Andreas Georgson.
Haaland or Veego as he is known by his fellow team mates ( the evil character from Ghostbusters two ) is a world class striker, and I think he and Walker got upset that the ex man city and new Arsenal set piece coach wanted to shake his old team mates hand. //Not sure why this would up set Veego and Walker.// Could you imagine an Arsenal player refusing to shake Peps hand and what the media would say about how unprofessional the Arsenal players was to refuse Peps hand shake. Yet when it is the Man city players refusing the hand shake its deemed ok!