Erling Haaland has given Arsenal the perfect title motivation as Man City rivalry persists
Erling Haaland has yet to score in the Premier League since he told Mikel Arteta to stay humble following the 2-2 draw between Manchester City and Arsenal several weeks ago. The international break has since arrived and offered the opportunity for the Norwegian to speak to the media ahead of his side's Nations League matches.
Prior to his comment toward the Arsenal manager, and in the celebrations of the equaliser, the striker was spotted throwing a ball at the back of Gabriel Magalhaes’ head. This sparked anger amongst supporters with some going as far as to say he should have been sent off.
Former referee Dermot Gallagher speaking on Sky Sports’ ref watch refused to be drawn on any potential punishment he should have faced. Fellow presenters Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith simply agreed that it was an amusing incident.
“Running the risk of another melee, aren't you, because this is what happens afterwards," said Gallagher. "It's just pulled back to 2-2, tempers are high.
"It was a really tough game to referee there's no doubt about that. He [Oliver] had his hands full from the first minute and that's how it culminated.”
Asked ahead of Norway’s match with Slovenia on Thursday evening, Haaland was asked about the incident. His answer lacked any apology which is perhaps predictable.
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“It was in the heat of the moment and a lot of stuff happened in that game,” Haaland said. “Things that happen on the football pitch stay there and that’s how it is.”
Pushed on whether he regretted the incident, Haaland replied: “I don’t regret much in life.” The pair do not meet again until the start of February which in the context of the season is relatively soon, with City being just the fifth reverse fixture of the campaign for the Gunners.
It is sure to be quite the occasion and the resumption of Haaland and Gabriel’s individual rivalry is without question something that most supporters are in high anticipation for. Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta might need to take the back seat this time around.
Arsenal have perhaps not had a rivalry quite like this since the Manchester United clashes in the late 90s and early 00s. Quotes like we have seen from Haaland and other City players should not be taken as anything other than motivation for Arsenal.
We have seen from Arteta, he likes to use quotes and tweets to inspire his team. It is almost certain that he will use the incidents from the clash with City when the pair reunite next year.