Former Manchester City coach Nicolas Jover, who now serves as Arsenal‘s set-piece expert, found himself at the centre of a heated tunnel confrontation.
The incident occurred after Arsenal’s win over Manchester City, with Kyle Walker dismissing a handshake from Jover, sparking a heated exchange.
"A nerve has been hit here"
Kyle Walker reacts to the Arsenal set piece coach Nicolas Jover 😬 pic.twitter.com/xdZpRkWeUa
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 8, 2023
Jover joined Arsenal‘s coaching staff in 2021, previously working under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta, currently managing Arsenal, was instrumental in recruiting Jover to the club.
Jover’s track record at City included reducing the club’s goals conceded from set-pieces and creating numerous scoring opportunities.
These credentials have translated into improved set-piece effectiveness for Arsenal, notably contributing to their recent win.
Gabriel Martinelli‘s 86th-minute goal proved decisive in the match, breaking a 12-game Premier League losing streak for Arsenal against City.
The tension spilled into the tunnel, where video footage captured Walker and Jover in a heated exchange.
Walker dismissed Jover’s offer of a handshake, and the situation escalated, involving other staff and players, including Erling Haaland.
Guardiola opted not to comment on the incident, stating, “I know what happened but I won’t say anything. They know it.”
Arteta, too, claimed ignorance about the confrontation.
Ex-players also weighed in. Micah Richards, a former City defender, observed, “It looked like he was going to shake his hand, but Kyle didn’t really want to.”
Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott noted, “a nerve had been hit” during the post-match events.
For Manchester City, this adds to a series of recent disappointments, including a Carabao Cup exit against Newcastle United and a league loss to Wolves.
Despite a Champions League win against RB Leipzig, the loss against Arsenal marks a low point as the international break begins.
Lovely.