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Kyle Walker makes 'critical' Michael Oliver point over Arsenal equaliser vs Man City

Kyle Walker speaks to Michael Oliver during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Kyle Walker has claimed he was only out of position for Arsenal's equaliser against Manchester City because referee Michael Oliver had called him over to have a word.

The England right-back was caught out of position after being called for a chat by Oliver, with Riccardo Calafiori taking advantage by curling in an equaliser to cancel out Erling Haaland’s opener. Gabriel header Arsenal in front later in the first half before John Stones scored a last-gasp equaliser to ensure the points were shared. The Gunners played the whole of the second half with 10 men after Leandro Trossard was sent off for kicking the ball away.

Speaking after the match, Walker was annoyed that Oliver did not allow him to get back into position moments before Calafiori's goal. The defender told Radio 5 Live: “I’m not ever going to come on national TV, national radio and start slagging people off because there’s enough of that going on around in the world.

“What I’m saying is I’ve not gone over to the referee. Me and Bukayo (Saka) have not gone over to the referee – he’s called us over.

“So if I’m being called over to the referee, he then should wait and allow me to get back in position before the ball is then gone over my head. So if I go over to the referee by my own accord and I’m out of position, it’s my fault. But I’m in position, he’s called the two captains obviously to calm the players down.

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“I’m walking back saying, ‘Lads, concentrate, nothing stupid, make sure we get through this’. The ball is then going over my head. Me and Mike have a very good relationship and I think he has a very hard job, especially at the top level. So that’s not me being critical of him. I know he has a hard enough job, he’s got 22 angry players screaming at him continuously.

“If he calls me over, if I go over of my own accord, fair enough. But for him to call both captains over and then not let me get back in position… If I was a goalkeeper, does he let me get back in my net? Of course. I’m a defender, I’m the first line of defence he should let me get back in and be set and then blow the whistle.”