'I prefer facts to words' - Arteta on 'dark arts' claims

Arsenal leader Mikel Arteta says his side's strategies successful Sunday's 2-2 tie against Manchester City were "normal".

The Gunners conceded a 98th-minute equaliser astatine Etihad Stadium, having been reduced to 10 men pursuing Leandro Trossard's sending disconnected successful first-half stoppage time.

Arsenal were accused of time-wasting against City, pinch John Stones and Kyle Walker saying nan Gunners used nan "dark arts" while protecting their 2-1 lead.

But Arteta says his squad had small action but to take sides deeply, fixed City's numerical advantage, referencing a infinitesimal successful nan first half erstwhile Guardiola's broadside were down to 10 pursuing Rodri's injury.

"Well, we had to play nan crippled that we had to play. The first 15 minutes, we couldn't. They [City] played 30 seconds pinch 10 men. Look what they did. It's normal what they did," said Arteta.

"Unfortunately we've been successful nan aforesaid situation. We were successful that aforesaid business pinch Granit [Xhaka] erstwhile we mislaid 5-0 [in 2021]. So we'd amended learn. If not I would beryllium very thick."

David Raya, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Martinelli each went down pinch cramp during nan 2nd half astatine nan Etihad, starring to accusations of time-wasting.

But Arteta says nan Gunners will beryllium without injured players for Wednesday's EFL Cup necktie against Bolton.

"I ever for illustration nan facts to words, aliases supposing things," said Arteta.

"Let's spot who's disposable tomorrow and past we tin talk astir acheronian arts aliases these things.

"Unfortunately, yes, location will beryllium a fewer players not available."

Asked if immoderate of nan injuries sustained against City were serious, Arteta said: "We person to wait. One of them."

Trossard's 2nd booking astatine nan Etihad came aft he kicked nan shot distant pursuing a foul connected Bernardo Silva.

It was nan 2nd clip this play that an Arsenal subordinate has been sent disconnected for specified an offence, pursuing Declan Rice's dismissal against Brighton successful August.

Asked if he needs to pass his players astir nan rule, Arteta said: "For passing nan shot [away] you mean? I deliberation so... conscionable time off nan ball, don't touch nan ball. We play without nan ball."