Arsenal coach Nicolas Jover branded a ‘hypocrite’ following bust-up with Kyle Walker… with Man City stars smarting over his show of disrespect last season
- Kyle Walker sparked a heated tunnel bust-up after Arsenal beat Man City
- He snubbed a handshake from ex-City coach Nicolas Jover to spark the row
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
Kyle Walker’s bust-up with Nicolas Jover at the Emirates Stadium was a result of Manchester City’s agitation at the Arsenal coach’s behaviour last season.
The City captain was dragged away from Jover, a former City coach, as the sides headed down the tunnel following Arsenal’s 1-0 victory against their Premier League title rivals.
Erling Haaland was also close to the incident and Walker was seen smarting at Jover’s offer of a handshake in a frank exchange.
Mail Sport understands that Jover’s refusal to shake hands with City stars after last year’s two league fixtures – both of which Arsenal lost – was seen as disrespectful by the champions.
Sources branded the 41-year-old a ‘hypocrite’ for actively seeking out Walker after Arsenal had landed a blow in the title race. Jover is said to have kept his hands firmly behind his back and showed ‘no interest’ in pleasantries following the defeats.
Arsenal’s win over Manchester City on Sunday saw a furious tunnel bust-up between City defender Kyle Walker and Gunners set-piece coach Nicolas Jover after the final whistle
Jover (right) worked under Pep Guardiola as part of City’s backroom team between 2019-2021
But Jover then moved to work for Mikel Arteta, Guardiola’s former No 2, at Arsenal in 2021
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The Football Association confirmed that they are not looking into the incident, which was quickly broken up as Arsenal security staff stepped in.
The set-piece coach joined City in 2019 before leaving amicably to reunite with Mikel Arteta two years ago.
Jover’s start in English football came at Brentford, where he worked under Dean Smith and Thomas Frank in the Championship, before he made his name at City.
When asked about the confrontation on Sunday, Pep Guardiola said: ‘I know what happened but I won’t say anything. They know it.’
Sky Sports footage of the incident showed Jover offering Walker a handshake as the City man walked towards the tunnel, only for Walker to dismiss him with a wave of the hand
Words are then exchanged and an angered Walker turns back in order to confront Jover
Footage filmed from the stands near the Emirates tunnel show Walker angrily exchanging words and jabbing his finger as other City players and staff from both sides get involved
Walker is led away back towards the tunnel but points his finger at an Arsenal official
Walker was visibly angered by whatever was said by Jover, sparking the mass bust-up
Jover is pictured with Arteta after Arsenal beat City to win the Community Shield in August
Bukayo Saka reacts during the post-match fracas after Arsenal had overcome Man City
IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!
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