Walker blames Arsenal vs Man City bust-up involving Haaland on handshake snub

16 October 2023 , 21:30

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Walker blames Arsenal vs Man City bust-up involving Haaland on handshake snub

Kyle Walker has revealed the truth behind his tunnel bust-up at Arsenal - and plans to apologise.

‌Walker was incensed with Arsenal set piece coach Nicolas Jovers after Manchester City's defeat at the Emirates earlier this month and a furious row ensued at the end of the clash. City defender Walker says Jovers - who used to be part of Pep Guardiola's coaching team before linking up with Mikel Arteta - did not want to shake hands after Arsenal lost at the Etihad last season but was quick to offer his hand after the Gunners won.

‌Walker said: "I don’t like losing. A couple of matches before, Nico, who worked for Man City, and he did not want to shake hands when we beat them before. When we lost, he wanted to shake my hand and I did not take it lightly. Simple as that.

‌"I haven’t been in touch but I have been concentrating on England but I will probably reach out to him, definitely. I will say, it was probably a bit too much.

"It shows the standards I have achieved and what I have learnt over the years, it is a big match there and losing in the way we did and so late on hurts. But if it did not hurt I am probably at the wrong club as we are title contenders."

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Arsenal icon Theo Walcott was working as a pundit for Sky Sports for the game and suggested City were hurt by the defeat. "We always look at City and they've been very professional and not reacting in situations," said Walcott. "And that's where I feel like a nerve's been hit here, and he's caught it there definitely."

Walker is planning to apologise to Nicolas Jovers (Getty Images)

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Walcott's fellow pundit Micah Richards added: "We're in October, if we were in March or April I could understand the frustration, they probably don't want to go to Arsenal and lose but it's not the end of the world."

‌Walker also insisted that he can learn from his disappointments and success with City to ensure that England also win silverware. City lost the 2021 Champions League final to Chelsea but got their hands on the European Cup in June by beating Inter Milan.

England lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy in July 2021, but it's hoped they will go far in Germany next year. Gareth Southgate's side will qualify for the tournament if they avoid defeat to Italy at Wembley on Tuesday night.

Walker added: "I feel, just as like at club level, I went to Porto and lost against Chelsea and then two years later I've gone and done the treble. I feel that people and teams evolved from that. I think you learn from occasions where you've been in finals and lose finals and setbacks, and you go on and achieve something great."

John Cross