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.
News 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. 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.
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.
When asked about the confrontation on Sunday, Pep Guardiola said: ‘I know what happened but I won’t say anything. They know it.’ According to news 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
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