Clear Breach’ – Arsenal Accused of Breaking Rule During 1-1 Draw vs Man City

Arsenal have been accused of breaking a little-known Premier League rule during their 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. Mikel Arteta’s side went into the weekend knowing these were the kinds of games they had to win if they were to end their 22-year wait for a league title.

In many ways, though, Pep Guardiola – Arteta’s former mentor – served him a taste of his own medicine. City sat deep, then struck on the counter when Erling Haaland powered past Gabriel like a steam train before finishing past David Raya. From there, Guardiola’s side put everyone behind the ball to protect their lead.

A late equaliser from Gabriel Martinelli salvaged a point for Arsenal, sparking wild celebrations that may have cost them the chance to push for all three. But in the midst of their efforts to stem City’s momentum, Arsenal now stand accused of breaking a rule few fans even knew existed.

Arsenal Accused of Rule Breach over Long Throw-Ins

Six of Arsenal’s last 10 Premier League goals have come from set-pieces, underlining their growing reliance on dead-ball situations to carry them through games. On Sunday, they looked to make the most of that strength once again by turning to long throw-ins.

However, with Riccardo Calafiori and others spotted using towels to dry the ball before taking those throws, many believe the Gunners may have breached a little-known rule. City Chief, a Man City supporters’ page on X, claimed as much, writing (see post below):

“Arsenal broke Premier League rules today. Towels cannot be used to dry the ball in PL matches – the rule was introduced last season to stop time-wasting and speed up play with the multi-ball system. Clear breach.”

Contrary to that claim, the Premier League rule book does not explicitly forbid players from using a towel to dry the ball before a throw-in. The multi-ball system, introduced to speed up play, also makes no mention of towels or other methods of drying the ball. What the laws do include, however – and what could potentially be used against Arsenal – is the following:

“Participants (including but not limited to players, substitutes, occupants of the Technical Area or any other Club personnel) must not interfere with the multi-ball system, the match ball or the replacement balls at any time.”

The situation is different in the English Football League (EFL) – which governs the Championship, League One, and League Two – where such practices were explicitly banned ahead of the 2023/24 season. Following a players’ vote, the EFL prohibited the use of towels or any other drying aids, including items handed over by spectators, a move that highlights the blurred lines between the two governing bodies.