Pep's public dressing down of Grealish was unnecessary, Ladyman insists

Pep Guardiola's dressing down of Jack Grealish on the pitch after Manchester City's draw with Arsenal was unnecessary and performative, Ian Ladyman believes.

An animated Guardiola made a beeline for substitute Grealish at full-time and was seemingly unimpressed with the forward's mixed half-hour cameo at the Etihad.

Grealish was unable to conjure up the moment of magic City needed to break through Arsenal's stubborn defence, with last season's Treble winners sensationally prevented from scoring at home for the first time in 57 matches.

Guardiola and Grealish exchanged words during the heated chat and the City boss appeared frustrated with the winger's involvement in a particular passage of play.

Their exchange was broadcast live on Sky Sports and Ladyman, speaking on the It's All Kicking Off podcast, believes it should have taken place away from the cameras.

Arguing that Grealish had in fact played well, Ladyman said: 'Pep Guardiola clearly didn't see it that way because as the teams left the field, Guardiola became involved in one of those incidents where he looks like he's publicly lecturing his player.

'He absolutely got into Jack Grealish in front of 40, 50,000 people plus people watching on television. I have to say, I don't like it. It's unnecessary. It's performative.

'It's for the cameras or it looks that way. You can wait bruntil you get to the dressing room. I've got a soft spot for Jack. I think he's a genuine lad.

'I think he cares deeply about his football. I think Jack Grealish in many ways is everything that we like about the modern Premier League.

'He's [got] a bit of glamour about him, but fundamentally is an honest, hardworking footballer.

'He's had a terrible season. He may not go to the European