Man City boss Pep Guardiola fires threat to referees after controversial Arsenal equaliser in thrilling draw

Guardiola was left astonished by Oliver in the buildup to Arsenal's first goal. The Premier League champions were leading 1-0 through Erling Haaland when Oliver called over skipper Kyle Walker for a conversation after a foul; as he ran back into position, Arsenal took their free-kick quickly and Riccardo Calafiori subsequently equalised with a fine drive from range.

Guardiola admits that he was initially angry with Walker for his poor positioning - he kicked his dugout chair in fury as the ball hit the back of the net - but has now threatened to inform his players not to vacate their positions to speak to officials. Arsenal were also left fuming by Oliver's decision-making, as Leandro Trossard was sent off in the first half.

Guardiola told reporters: “I was [annoyed] with Kyle, but Kyle was right, because the referee had asked him to come and talk to him with the other ones.

“When this happens some people have to be close to the ball and you have to readjust the back four, but we didn’t have time.

“But don’t worry, Kyle arrived in the position a second before Calafiori [scored], so at the end that’s what happened. But we knew that always every free kick they could go quick to the wingers and they are really good with Saka and Martinelli.

“I don’t like the back four when there’s a full move on, but when the referee says ‘come and talk to me’, at least let [the players] come back in their position, because the next time we will not go and talk to them. It’s not a problem from Kyle.”

City play Watford in the Carabao Cup this week and then face Newcastle on their return to Premier League action. Sunday's draw has left City top of the Premier League, one point clear of second and third-placed Liverpool and Aston Villa.