Arsenal coach Jonas Eidevall describes Manchester City's Gareth Taylor bullying claim as 'borderline slander'

Arsenal coach Jonas Eidevall has responded to criticism from Gareth Taylor, describing the comments of the Manchester City manager as “borderline slander”.

Following Arsenal’s win over Manchester City in the Women’s Super League on Sunday, Taylor accused Eidevall of bullying the fourth official.

"That is always the same with him because he is constantly at the fourth official and I think it is bullying,” Taylor told the BBC. “I am protecting the fourth official but that's not my job."

Those comments filtered their way through to Eidevall, who was unhappy and demanded an apology.

“To be honest, I was really disappointed with the comments,” Eidevall said. "The wording that Gareth used afterwards is borderline slander.

"Either he is not very good with the truth or he is not very good with the language but, either way, I don’t think it is acceptable.

"I had a good professional dialogue with the officials during the game.

“I’ve not spoken to Gareth. I don’t think his comments are acceptable and I would expect him to reach out with an apology, but I’m not sure that will happen.”

Eidevall has admitted to being passionate on the touchline, but that he remained respectful to officials.

The Swede said: “Have I been passionate on the sidelines, have I lost my tempo and my control on my emotions? Absolutely I’ve done that. Being in the job for 20 years like I have, I think we have all been in that position and I think a person who hasn’t been here is not telling the truth.

“If you had seen me five years ago, I think I was much more emotionally attached to the game and each situation. I don’t think there were more than five or six occasions in 90 minutes where me and the fourth official had a professional discussion about why certain things happened on the pitch.

“I have done nothing I would be ashamed of or would hide, I’m all good with that behaviour and I think I act like the coach I want to be.”

Manchester City and Arsenal are level on 10 points from five games, three adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Arsenal travel to Leicester on Sunday, while City are at home to Brighton the same day.

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