They were on show again on Sunday.
Premier League clubs have sent complaints to Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) over Arsenal’s persistent use of ‘gamesmanship and ‘dark arts’ throughout last season, according to the Daily Mail.
Last Sunday provided a blockbuster showdown between Man City and Arsenal which finished in a 2-2 draw that delivered on every front.
One of the key talking points of the match was the constant time-wasting and gamesmanship from Arsenal, who desperately tried to hold onto their 2-1 lead while down to 10 men.
Myles Lewis-Skelly received a yellow card while off the pitch for relaying a message to Arsenal shot-stopper David Raya, delaying proceedings ahead of a goal kick.
The keeper subsequently went down for a long time, allowing manager Mikel Arteta to hold a team talk with his players.
However, the Gunners were unable to stop a late John Stones equaliser for City, despite all the ‘dark arts’ they employed.
Now it has been revealed by the Daily Mail that other Premier League clubs have been complaining about these practices which they claim have continued since last season.
Related links:
While Arsenal are not the only club to partake in these ‘dark arts’, they have reportedly angered other teams for their excessive use.
The team has been punished too, receiving two sending-offs in the space of a month, both for a second yellow for kicking the ball away.
Arsenal became known for blocking opponents during set pieces last season, leading to a rule change in set pieces, with obstruction now being policed tougher.
Going forward, it is expected that attempts to impede opponents during free kicks and corners will be clamped down on this season.
Following the complaints from other clubs to PGMOL concerning Arsenal’s behaviour, it is reported that the organisation is taking the issue seriously.
