Ben White got in a heated bust-up with Phil Foden at full time of Arsenal’s defeat to Man City, with new footage showing what happened.
The Arsenal defender, appeared to wrestle Phil Foden during a heated argument that caused Erling Haaland storm in along with other teammates to deal with the situation.
New footage has since emerged showing exactly what happened, with White approaching Foden from behind, placing his hand on his shoulders and spun him around.
There is some shirt grabbing as the pair exchange heated words, Foden left unhappy at White’s manhandling him.
What is Ben White doing??? pic.twitter.com/I7mTMTfq9t
— george (@StokeyyG2) April 26, 2023
Tempers FLARED between Ben White and Phil Foden after the full time whistle 🥊 pic.twitter.com/fvVxnwFVPR
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 27, 2023
Emile Smith Rowe and Bernardo Silva start to intervene at this point as the two are separated, then in comes Haaland stomping over to White and show fury for causing the incident.
Manchester City fan podcast ‘The Manchester is Blue Show’ labelled White an “utter coward” for antagonising Foden, posting on Twitter: “Ben White you utter coward going for the smallest man on the pitch.
“Didn’t try that with [John] Stones, Haaland or [Ruben] Dias did you.”
Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes were dealt a huge blow by Manchester City at the Etihad as Kevin De Bruyne scored two with John Stones and Erling Haaland also on target in a 4-1 win that moves City within two points with two games in hand.
Player ratings (via Sky Sports)
Man City: Ederson (7), Walker (7), Akanji (7), Dias (7), Stones (8), Rodri (8), De Bruyne (9), Gundogan (7), Silva (8), Haaland (9), Grealish (8).
Subs: Mahrez (6), Alvarez (6), Foden (6).
Arsenal: Ramsdale (6), White (6), Holding (5), Gabriel (5), Zinchenko (5), Partey (4), Xhaka (5), Odegaard (5), Saka (5), Jesus (5), Martinelli (5).
Subs: Trossard (7), Jorginho (6), Smith-Rowe (6), Nelson (6), Nketiah (6).
Player of the match: Kevin De Bruyne.
John Stones to BT Sport: “I wouldn’t say total control. We have to give them respect and credit.
“We didn’t play the football we normally do. We had man to man pressure and it was very difficult to play our usual passes. The desire and how clinical we were, we could have had a few more. I’m made up with the three points.”
On whether their experience gives them an edge: “We’ve been through tough moments and situations. It’s done us so well. We know how to cope in certain scenarios.
Kevin de Bruyne to BBC Sport: “I think it’s a big game. It’s always important to win this game. A lot of people will say about the title but in our mind we had to perform well and we did. We still have seven games to play so there’s a lot going on.
“We are in the end part of the season so we know every game is must win. If we lost today it would be very hard. We played really well.”
On the crowd: “The last years have been changing a lot. The atmosphere is unbelievable. People always say about our crowd but they help to push us forward. If you see 50,000 people jumping with their back to the field it will do something to the opposition.
“I don’t think the teams went over the limit. Sometimes it will be fiery but there was a lot at stake.
“In one way it’s easy for us with the schedule we have. It’s impossible to know what will happen in a couple of weeks. It’s tough enough to be 100% in every game – we had Munich away, then London for Sheffield. The last five or six weeks it’s every three days. It’s much easier that way than if you just play every weekend.”
Man City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to BT Sport: “We’ve always had an incredible attacking threat but the connection between Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne is extraordinary. Today we tried to use it as much as possible.
“We are back-to-back Premier League winners, so earlier in the season we say we have time, but for Arsenal it was completely opposite. Every win was a final.
“But two months later, the players know it is necessary to say it is close and we need to win to stay in contention. That mentality where you have no option but to win is the best mentality to play. The players have shown they go into every match trying to win.”
Guardiola on whether City are now in the driving seat for the title: “The next three games are really important. Fulham on Sunday, Marco Silva has done a fantastic job, then two games at home against West Ham and Leeds.
“These three games will dictate if we can do what we want to do. The reality is we’re still behind Arsenal.
“It will not be easy for us, but it is game by game and we see what happens.”
On the influence of man of the match Kevin de Bruyne: “Kevin is always pushing and feeling he can do better. But in this shape, when he moves behind Xhaka or Partey and has more freedom, it’s so dangerous for the opponents.
“We won but we didn’t play good. We worked a lot in possession here, we were patient and more contact with players up front, they kept the ball.”
On his success at City: “This club give me everything. I remember the season we didn’t win they supported me unconditionally. Why should we stop.
“The way Liverpool pushed us in the previous season and it has been the same with Arsenal. They made 50 points in the first half of the season. We had to keep pushing.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to BT Sport: “We were beaten by the better team, that’s for sure. They were excellent and it is hard to reach that level. We were not at that level today.
“You have to compete and win duels, have to do basics against this team. We didn’t do that first half and we were punished. It is very difficult.
“The way we were in the first 20 or 30 minutes they were on top of us and we could not compete in every duel. They were extremely direct and know they are capable of doing that. You have to be in right positions and one v one we were not.”
What does that mean for the title race? “Today is a very difficult night, the way we lost, but we have to stand up and look at bigger picture.
“The fact we are competing toe to toe with this City team is incredible.
“There are five games to go and anything can happen. Over the years I’ve seen a lot can happen in this league. We have to accept we lost to an exceptional team.
“The better team won the game. They were probably at their best and we were nowhere near our level. The first 30 minutes all the basic things you have to do against a top team we didn’t do it and we got punished.
“At the start of the season they said we’d finish sixth or seventh. The players deserve a lot of credit to be where we are after nine months against this team.
“We played against an exceptional team. But we’re an exceptional team as well – but today we weren’t at the races.
“They were better in every department. They won every duel. We conceded from a set-play, from a throw-in.
“We wanted to tweak a few things but they scored an early goal. We have to be loyal to what has brought us all this way. We have to look in the mirror to see what we could do better.”
“I don’t think they were scared but the way we started the game didn’t help. We lost all the first, second balls.
“It’s very easy to say that here [that his players should have won the duels] but when you have to play against a team who played at their best it’s extremely difficult to do that.
“I accept the reality. That’s the best way to move forward. We never had a chance to win the game. We have to improve.
“We knew we’d need our best as a team. We were far from that.
“I don’t know what will be required [to win the title]. We have to lift the players up because they’re suffering. It’s a difficult one to swallow.”
Do they need to win all five games to have a chance? “I think so.”
Fans reacted after seeing Ben White in a heated bust-up with Phil Foden at full time of Arsenal’s defeat to Man City…
@majestic_foden: What a coward. Couldn’t man up and face Stones, Dias, Rodri or Haaland so picked on the smallest player on the pitch after the game. Coward.
@DanHarvey74: Something definitely happened during that World Cup, surprised its remained under wraps since.
@dodger0703: Haaland always reminds me of those lads that when a fight breaks out, they run right over without a clue what is going on just so they can start swinging punches
@Tinnerz_SAFC: There is a reason why the helmet got sent home from the World Cup!
@SuperstarDJHWG: Hold me back, hold me back! Fannies 🤣
@DannyBritton14: I wonder what Foden did to provoke an action from Ben White
@ewan10i: Doesn’t care about football but he’ll randomly square up to the international colleague who played 10 minutes
@MrManCity8: Where was this energy during the 90 minutes???? 😭😭😭
@Gearmaraes: No point doing this at full time when you showed no fight for 90 minutes
@AzamWHUFC: Ben White you really aren’t that guy
@City_Sean: Maybe Ben White should watch more football and learn how to be humble after your teams been slapped.
@tinscognito__: Very weird, can see why he was kicked out the england camp but sadly his attitude is probably why both England and arsenal failed to win trophies
@Hamzaomerzia44: Gets embarrassed 4-1 doesn’t so shit all game, then tried to pick on the “small guy” for no reason. Fucking weird cunt, keep crying ur dreams of a prem will never come true
@mrvicekruha: why Foden tho 😭 my guy literally entered the game in 87th minute and still did more than this twat
@kushveersingh14: Signs of a coward and a sore loser
@WeWantGoals: Sums the club up @arsenal Can’t even be gracious in defeat. Played off the park and humbled like the two bob club they are. Thank you @ManCity for putting them back in their box 👏👏 Who would have thought a team in North London would bottle it 🤣🤔
@tickton1969: Love the way Haaland thinks it’ll stop when he pitches up 😂
@HarvMarksy: Absolute fucking tool. Be surprised if he even knows who Phil Foden is considering he doesn’t watch football 🥴
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