Manchester City’s Akanji calls for no yellow cards in Arsenal clash

MANCHESTER:

Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji said he was unable to understand how Arsenal avoided some “clear yellow cards” during Sunday’s foul-filled goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium.

After Liverpool went top of the Premier League with victory over Brighton, the other top title contenders strengthened the Merseysiders’ position in a 0-0 draw that featured just three shots on target.

As visitors, Arsenal were happier with a point. However, City were left baffled by referee Anthony Taylor’s failure to book an Arsenal player for one of the Gunners’ 20 fouls.

Arsenal’s only yellow cards were for time-wasting offenses committed by Gabriel Jesus and David Raya.

“I don’t understand,” said Akanji. “One in the first half (by Kai Havertz) was a very late tackle on Stefan (Ortega). For me it is clearly a yellow card.

“I don’t want to say only against us. There were also some decisions against them that I didn’t realize gave a foul.

“There are some rules and I think there are clear yellow cards where they should be.”

Reigning champions City, now third in the table, cannot afford to dwell on their disappointment as they return to action on Wednesday in a home game against fourth-placed Aston Villa.

Pep Guardiola’s men are unbeaten in all competitions since December’s 1-0 reverse at Villa Park and Akanji said everything was still set in the title race.

“Yeah, I mean how many games do we have left? Nine, so yeah 27 points to get,” he said. “That’s our goal to get them all and then we’ll see how it ends.”

Arsenal are also back in action on Wednesday, kicking off 45 minutes earlier against relegation-threatened Luton.

The Gunners will return to the top of the Premier League if they win, with Liverpool not playing again until Thursday’s game against Sheffield United at Anfield.

Former City forward Jesus said the key for Arsenal was to focus on their own form.

“It’s the Premier League, it’s a tough league and anything can happen,” he said. “It’s only two points (to Liverpool) and then we have a very good goal difference.

“Everything counts in the end, but there are still many games. We also have the Champions League. This is the most beautiful part of the season, you try everything to win titles.”