Pep Guardiola fires warning to Man City stars over Arsenal dark arts - 'That's all I ask'

Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players not to get dragged into the dark arts of their rivals after Arsenal tried to get under their skin in their latest meeting.

Premier League champions City were left frustrated by delaying tactics from their title rivals in Sunday's epic 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium. City needed a 98th-minute equaliser from substitute John Stones to salvage a point against 10-man Arsenal, whose primary aim was to thwart and disrupt Guardiola's men by slowing the game down at every opportunity.

Some City players, including Stones, Bernardo Silva and Manuel Akanji, were left unimpressed with Arsenal's tactics and accused Mikel Arteta's players of being underhand. Asked how he and his players deal with such an approach, Guardiola said he wants them to focus on winning games and avoid getting dragged down by the sly tactics of opponents.

"Focus on the game and defend yourself,” said Guardiola. "Focus on the game, focus on what we have to do. Try to do what we've done for many, many years. Defend yourself, that's all I ask. I know what the opponents are going to do. Tactically, there is always a way to try to do it.

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"The other behaviours we cannot control, so don't go away from what's important - the game. We are an honest team. We go out there and try to do our best." Guardiola revealed Kevin De Bruyne, who missed the Arsenal game through injury, will be sidelined for Tuesday's visit of Watford in the Carabao Cup and could also miss Saturday's trip to Newcastle.

De Bruyne suffered a groin injury in City's 0-0 Champions League draw with Inter Milan last week and Guardiola, when asked the extent of the problem, said: "I don't think it will be long. I would say not back for Watford. I don't know in terms of Newcastle, but he still has some discomfort."

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