da pinnacle： Tempers threatened to boil over at the end of Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester City, with Kyle Walker and Erling Haaland confronting Nicolas Jover.

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Gunners prevail in heavyweight encounterEmotions running high in north LondonPlayers & coaches clash after final whistleWHAT HAPPENED?

A solitary effort from Gabriel Martinelli, which deflected in off the unfortunate Nathan Ake, was enough to settle the heavyweight Premier League contest at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners were always going to revel in that success, having missed out on title glory to City last season, and celebrations appeared to go a little too far at the final whistle.

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As City’s players made their way from the field and towards the tunnel, experienced defender Walker turned back to confront Arsenal set-piece coach Jover – who previously worked at the Etihad Stadium between 2019 and 2021. Angry words were exchanged, with prolific striker Haaland also getting involved before members of staff from both sides stepped in and Bukayo Saka tried to act as peacemaker.

WHAT THEY SAID

Pep Guardiola was not involved in the post-game spat, but claims to know what went on and why. He told reporters afterwards: “I know what happened but I won't say anything. They [Arsenal] know it.” Gary Neville, who was on punditry duty for Sky Sports, said of the incident: “Football players don’t like set-pieces on the training pitch, let alone the opposition set-piece coach having a go.”

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Ex-Arsenal winger Theo Walcott added on the potential reasons for Walker and City losing their cool: “We always look at Man City as being very professional and not reacting in situations and that’s where I feel like a nerve has been hit here. He’s caught it there definitely.” Guardiola’s side have now suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League for the first time since December 2018, while unbeaten Arsenal sit level on points with Tottenham at the top of the table.