Former referee Keith Hackett has shared his view on the heated altercation between Leandro Trossard and Bernardo Silva during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City. While Gary Neville branded Silva’s actions “stupid,” Hackett praised referee Stuart Attwell for keeping control and avoiding unnecessary bookings in the Premier League clash.
Arsenal vs Man City Ends in 1-1 Draw
The highly anticipated Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester City on 21 September ended in a 1-1 draw. Erling Haaland opened the scoring for Pep Guardiola’s side, before Gabriel Martinelli struck late to secure a valuable point for the Gunners.
The result leaves Mikel Arteta’s men second in the league table, five points behind leaders Liverpool, while City sit further down in ninth place.
Trossard and Silva’s Heated Exchange
The biggest flashpoint of the first half came after Haaland’s opener when Bernardo Silva threw the ball at Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard during a stoppage. Trossard reacted by throwing the ball back at the City midfielder, who had already been booked earlier in the match.
Despite the tension, neither Silva nor Trossard received further punishment, which became a major talking point among fans and pundits.
Gary Neville Labels Incident “Stupid”
Speaking live on Sky Sports, Gary Neville was quick to criticise Silva’s actions, describing them as “stupid” and unnecessary. The former Manchester United defender argued that such behavior could have easily escalated and caused trouble for City.
However, Neville’s strong reaction contrasted with the calm approach taken by referee Stuart Attwell, who opted to diffuse the situation without issuing cards.
Keith Hackett Praises Referee’s Decision
Ex-FIFA referee and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett supported Attwell’s handling of the incident. Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett said:
“Good to see the referee not overreact to this playground spat. I do not want cheap yellow cards being issued in any games. Well done to Attwell for remaining calm.”
Hackett’s verdict highlights the importance of balance in officiating, ensuring discipline is maintained without disrupting the flow of the game.
What’s Next for Arsenal and Man City?
Both sides will quickly turn their attention to domestic cup action. Arsenal are set to face Port Vale in the Carabao Cup, while Manchester City will meet Huddersfield Town. With both teams eager to progress, discipline and composure could prove decisive in their upcoming fixtures.
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