Manuel Akanji joins Arsenal, predicts title race outcome

Manuel Akanji has labelled Arsenal masters of football's dark arts but insists that will not be enough to snatch the title from Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta's side were criticised by City duo Bernardo Silva and John Stones for their alleged time-wasting tactics in Sunday's 2-2 draw.

City defender Akanji has joined his team-mates in criticising Arsenal's approach, suggesting Arteta and his side thrive on the “drama” of such a controversial strategy.

Asked if Arsenal were champions of the dark arts, Akanji replied: “I don't think there are many players better than them in that area. But, at the end of the day, we always win the title and I don't expect it to be any different this year.”

“Every time they play, every time they take a free kick, they touch the ground. The players fall, get up, sprint, fall again, one of their team's players even asked the goalkeeper to touch the ground, and so on.

“I mean, there's nothing we can do about it. Ultimately, it's up to the referee to handle those situations throughout the season. But yeah, there's nothing else we can do about it.

“That's what they're going for. Every time we play them, that's what they're going for: drama, going all out in the clashes, defending, 11 players in their own box and then capitalising on set pieces and trying to score a goal.

Akanji added: “With the time lost, you can't control that. It's up to the referee to do something. But in the end, it's obviously difficult to score against someone who has 10 players, with the goalkeeper in his box.”

“It worked for them, so if they are happy with the single point [that’s fine]. We are not, we tried to get more, but that is what satisfies them. In the end, we are still leading the championship. We have not lost a single game yet.

“We tried, especially in the second half with one man up front, but it's difficult with 10 players defending in their own area.

“So we did our best, we had to keep pushing until the end and luckily in the end we scored a goal and got a point.”

Akanji also claimed referee Michael Oliver helped Arsenal equalise by not giving City captain Kyle Walker time to get back into position to defend a free-kick.

“I saw it,” Akanji said of the build-up before Riccardo Calafiori's stunning shot. “Kyle and [Bukayo] Saka was called to speak with him [the referee].

“Normally, even when you make a substitution, you wait until the player is back in his place. Walks was certainly not back in his place and they took the free-kick quickly. They scored a goal from that, what more can I say?”