What did Haaland Say to Arteta and Gabriel?
Manchester City remains at the top of the Premier League despite drawing 2-2 with Arsenal in a match filled with drama and tension. With this result, Pep Guardiola's team remains unbeaten, now with 13 points, though they dropped their first two points of the season in a clash that will be remembered as much for its intensity as for the controversial moments involving Erling Haaland.
The match began positively for City, who took the lead thanks to the Norwegian Haaland. After just nine minutes, the striker capitalized on a precise pass from Savinho to score his tenth goal in just five games, solidifying his role as the team's top scorer. However, Arsenal quickly responded. Riccardo Calafiori equalized before halftime, and Gabriel Magalhaes put the Gunners ahead with a powerful header at the end of the first half. City was forced to come back in the second half, and just when it seemed Arsenal would take all three points, John Stones appeared in the 98th minute to equalize and prevent a City loss.
But beyond the result, the match left moments of high tension, particularly between Haaland and Arsenal players. In the 98th minute, after Stones' goal, Haaland made a gesture that ignited controversy. Visibly frustrated by the scoreline, the striker threw the ball at Gabriel Magalhaes' head, sparking a heated exchange between both teams. The situation didn't end there. Haaland later had a confrontation with young substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly, to whom he bluntly said, "Who the hell are you?", further raising tensions on the field.
The most talked-about moment of the match, however, was Haaland's interaction with Arsenal's coach, Mikel Arteta. After the final whistle, the Norwegian approached the Spanish manager and, while patting him on the shoulder, said, "Stay humble." Arteta, unfazed, ignored the comment and carried on, showing his composure in the face of the striker’s provocations.
Nonetheless, Haaland's emotional outburst continued, as he had a heated exchange with Gabriel Jesus, who attempted to calm him down, but the City player responded with harsh words.
This draw not only keeps Manchester City at the top but also opens the door to an even greater rivalry between the two teams, with Haaland in the spotlight not just for his goals but also for his on-field behavior.