The growing tension between Arsenal and Manchester City off the pitch was on full display after their game at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with Arsenal executive Vice Chair Tim Lewis refusing to shake the hand of Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak after the ill-tempered 2-2 draw.
Lewis, sat next to Gunners sporting director Edu Gaspar in the bottom row by the aisle, stormed out of his seat after the game, failing to shake hands with the other Man City brass.
Exclusive footage shows Arsenal chief storming out of Etihad directors box! 😱 pic.twitter.com/IPjISmBZu6
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) September 25, 2024
Al Mubarak was pointing to Lewis at the top of the stairs after his quick dash, but the Arsenal chief did not return to greet the Man City hierarchy as the norm is following a game.
The other members of the travelling Gunners board were left to apologise and mingle with their hosts afterwards, and their vice-chairman was clearly unhappy with the result.
Arsenal led 2-1 for the majority of the second-half but had to defend with their lives after Leandro Trossard got sent off in the first-half.
Man City drew level through John Stones in the 98th minute to deny the visitors a crucial victory, and Lewis could not take it.
The players also regularly clashed on the pitch, with Erling Braut Haaland provoking the Arsenal stars anytime he had the chance during and after the game.
The Gunners last won at Etihad in January 2015 and were made to wait for their first victory at the ground in nine years on Sunday.
They will hope the dropped two points do not prove crucial in the title race come May 2025 after they missed out on the Premier League title by two points last season.
Both teams remain unbeaten in the league this term after five games, but Man City remain league leaders while Arsenal are two points behind them in fourth place.
