Pep Guardiola Plants accepts the fourth official’s cheek after he was told

Pep Guardiola diluted the mood on the touch line during the 1-1 Manchester City tie with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, where he shared an extraordinary moment with a fourth official, Craig Buson.

City had advanced early through the Erling Haland strike in the ninth minute and looked at the victory path before Gunners returned late.

In the closing stages, Guardiola found himself in a vital exchange with Buson on the margin.

Instead of allowing it to reach it, the city’s coach suddenly bowed and planted a kiss on the Pawson cheek. The official fell back, temporarily amazed but with a smile, before resuming his duties, while Guardiola laughed with his hands on the hips – both of whom seen clearly the funny side.

However, Guardiola’s smile did not last for a long time. Moments later, after Pawson pointed to seven minutes from the time of injury, City gave up deeply at the time of stopping. Gabriel Martinelli saved Arsenal’s point, and Gianluigi Donnaruma was wonderfully cut to cancel the opening match for Halland.

The result means that Arsenal is still defeating in the last five meetings in the Premier League with City.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Guardiola praised his team’s ability.

“Today we played against a strong team,” he said. “Hats to our team for resilience. It is very difficult when you are not effective with high pressure, it is always difficult to accumulate. We have made some transformations. I think the result is fair. In general, Arsenal was better.”

No mention of the kiss, though. Poor Craig Pawuson.

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