A heated 2-2 draw between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday has spilled over into the director’s box, with Arsenal executive vice-chair Tim Lewis dramatically refusing to shake hands with his Manchester City counterparts.
According to Metro, Lewis was left enraged by John Stones’ 98th-minute equalizer, which denied Arsenal a vital three points against their Premier League title rivals. The late goal sparked heated scenes on the pitch, with tensions extending to the director’s box.
Lewis stormed out of the director’s box, leaving fellow Arsenal board members to apologize for his absence. The customary post-match handshake between executives was notably absent, highlighting the growing animosity between the two clubs.
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva fueled the rivalry, suggesting Arsenal’s tactics were overly defensive. “There was only one team that came to play football,” Silva said. “The other came to play to the limits of what was possible to do and allowed by the referee.”
Silva’s comments underscored the distinction between Arsenal’s rivalry with Manchester City and their historic rivalry with Liverpool. “Maybe that Liverpool have already won a Premier League, Arsenal haven’t. Liverpool have won a Champions League, Arsenal haven’t, Full Details” Silva noted.
The drama has intensified the spotlight on the growing rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester City. With both teams vying for Premier League supremacy, future matches are likely to be marked by increased tension.
