Arsenal chief Tim Lewis made his feelings clear when Manchester City struck a late equaliser on Sunday.
Arsenal hearts were broken late on at the Etihad Stadium, as John Stones produced a 98th minute goal to snatch victory away from the Gunners.
This last gasp goal was just another incident in an encounter pockmarked with controversies and flare-ups.
At one stage Pep Guardiola aimed a kick at a chair in frustration, whilst Mikel Arteta was angered by Leandro Trossard’s red card.
Having been reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time, the Gunners set themselves up in a far more defensive fashion in the second half. Arteta’s side battled impressively at the back, with the Arsenal players drawing praise from Micah Richards for their defensive efforts.
Whilst their resistance was finally broken at the death, the North London outfit demonstrated their fighting spirit with their display.
Tim Lewis showed Arsenal anger against Manchester City
Tempers flared in the closing stages of the match. Arsenal and Manchester City staff clashed on the touchline in the aftermath of Stones’ goal.
On top of that, after the final whistle, Norwegian striker Erling Haaland took aim at Arteta.
It was a tempestuous atmosphere in the North West, reflective of the burgeoning rivalry between these two title-chasing sides.
These frustrations were matched in the stands too, where the Arsenal hierarchy were stationed alongside their Manchester City counterparts.
As per the Daily Mail, Arsenal’s executive vice-chair Tim Lewis was so incensed by Stones’ goal that he refused to shake hands with the Manchester City board members and stormed off in a fury.
Mikel Arteta effect in action at Arsenal
Arsenal have been accused of being “soft” in the past. Certainly, in the latter stages of Arsene Wenger’s reign it would have been fair to say that the Gunners lacked bite.
This is not the case anymore. Arteta has transformed the mentality within the club since his appointment at the Emirates Stadium in December 2019.
The Spanish coach has constructed a squad full of fighting spirit, who refuse to be cowed or intimidated. Arsenal fans have hailed Ben White for his feistiness, whilst the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Declan Rice, and Jurrien Timber, amongst others, all have an aggressive streak in their games.
This attitude is vital. If the Gunners are to become champions then they will need the strength of character to dominate their opponents, and this must also extend beyond the playing squad.
Lewis’ actions at the Etihad Stadium shows that, as a result of Arteta’s influence, Arsenal now have a feisty edge in the boardroom too.
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