Manchester City’s humbling 5-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal wasn’t just a shock to their title aspirations—it also sparked a bizarre post-match reaction from Pep Guardiola. The City boss, known for his intense tactical insights, gave an unexpectedly indifferent response when asked about Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly copying Erling Haaland’s signature celebration. However, beneath his casual demeanor, Guardiola’s frustrations were clear as he took aim at his team’s recurring defensive vulnerabilities.
A Celebration That Sparked Debate
During Arsenal’s dominant performance at the Emirates, teenage sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly took center stage after scoring his first senior goal. Rather than a conventional celebration, he opted to mimic Haaland’s famous meditation pose—an act that sent social media into a frenzy. When confronted about it post-match, Guardiola’s reaction was unusual.
“Oh, I didn’t see it… I didn’t see them do that… that’s good. That’s good,” he said, repeating his words in a manner that hinted at sarcasm or perhaps quiet irritation. To add an extra layer of intrigue, he then turned to City’s media officer and quipped, “Did you like my answer?”—a moment that only fueled speculation about his true feelings on the matter.
City’s Defensive Issues Worsen
Beyond the celebration drama, Guardiola’s real concerns were laid bare when he addressed his team’s struggles. He labeled his side “fragile,” acknowledging their ongoing problems in preventing opposition chances—an issue that has plagued City throughout the season.
“We are giving away too many things, we are aware this cannot happen, but it happened,” Guardiola admitted. “How we played in the last 30 minutes was not acceptable. It’s not nice to be involved in that when you know it’s not your team in those situations.”
His candid words suggested deeper frustrations than he initially let on. City’s defensive structure, once their greatest strength, has shown cracks, and Arsenal exploited them ruthlessly. The reigning champions now face a battle to rediscover their dominance before the season slips further from their grasp.
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