Arsenal legend David Seaman says he can see the rivalry between the Gunners and Manchester City having the same level of intensity as the one his team had with Manchester United.
Speaking on the Seaman Says Podcast via Betway, the former England international suggested that the attitude of City’s players during the 2-2 draw on Sunday had shown that their opponents had got under their skin:
“They got City rattled. I’ve not seen it for a long time, City players moaning afterwards about certain things going on in the game, and they’re masters at it with time wasting. Everybody does it, but don’t go out there moaning about it, especially after a game like that. It has the needle of our old Arsenal against United games. And I think that what we saw on Sunday will carry on.”
“I said I’ll take a point last week, all day long, and I’ve been saying that all week – I’ll take a point. We know how good City are and they’re on form, they’ve won every game, so you’re always like, anxious when you’re playing City. But we’ve got a bit about us now. People talked about us having a soft underbelly, that’s gone. We’ve got a steeliness about us now and a belief as well.”
It’s a rivalry based on being perennial title challengers
Up until this season, there has been a certain level of respect between the two teams, mostly due to the fact that the two managers are good friends away from the pitch.
However, the importance of the game, with the two teams battling it out for the title, clearly ratcheted up the tension. You also have to point to Arsenal’s antics, which seemed to irk City players. The Gunners’ time wasting, in particular, appears to have agitated many, including Erling Haaland.
When will City face Arsenal again?
Unless they draw each other in the Carabao Cup or the FA Cup, the next fixture between the two teams will be at the beginning of February.
Pep Guardiola’s men lost on their last visit to the Emirates but they will be hoping to put that right when they make the trip down to London in the New Year.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
