Former Manchester City colleagues Kevin de Bruyne and Mikel Arteta were involved in a touchline fracas during City's 3-1 win over Arsenal.
The pair spent three-and-a-half-years working together between 2016 and 2019 while the now Arsenal manager was an assistant coach in Pep Guardiola's City backroom staff. Arteta arrived a year after De Bruyne returned to the Premier League, and together they won two titles and an FA Cup, as well as two Carabao Cups.
Prior to the incident, the Belgium international had scored the opening goal of the game with a fine looping finish before Bukayo Saka equalised for the hosts from the penalty spot before half-time. The scoreline remained 1-1 when the two came together just over five minutes into the first half.
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The interaction began shortly after Arsenal defender Gabriel could not prevent the ball from rolling out of play for a City throw-in close to Arteta's technical area. As the ball rolled to a standstill just on the edge of the home team's area, the Arsenal manager approached the ball and stood over it between an onrushing De Bruyne.
Now within range, the City player swiped to dislodge the ball from its position at Arteta's feet, but missed the ball as the Arsenal boss flicked it away towards the home bench. That action resulted in De Bruyne giving Arteta a two-handed shove to the chest before continuing on to retrieve the ball.
On the way back past, the player wagged a disapproving finger in the manager's direction before the pair then went their separate ways. Arsenal player Granit Xhaka then approached to diffuse the situation by speaking with De Bruyne on the sideline, as the player had the ball in hand, ready to resume the match.
City went on to re-take the lead through a well-worked move finished off by Jack Grealish before De Bruyne turned assister by setting up Erling Haaland for their third and final goal. The 31-year-old was then substituted and replaced by Kalvin Phillips for the final three minutes of the 90.
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