Erling Haaland has finally addressed his heated encounter with Gabriel Magalhaes during their tense match last month.
The duo clashed when Arsenal faced Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in a Premier League showdown.
The match itself was dramatic, with Riccardo Calafiori cancelling out Haaland’s early opener, followed by Gabriel putting Arsenal in the lead. However, John Stones equalized for City in stoppage time, after Arsenal had played the second half with 10 men following Leandro Trossard’s red card.
Haaland’s Theatrics Against Arsenal
After Stones’ late goal, the game drew attention for more than just the football. Haaland, frustrated by the situation, was involved in a few dramatic moments. The Norwegian striker threw the ball at Gabriel, then barged into Thomas Partey during the restart. In another fiery moment, Haaland told Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to “be humble” and even asked Arsenal debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly who he was.
Haaland Finally Addresses the Incident
Haaland spoke out about the incident two weeks later, reflecting on the emotional intensity of the match. In an interview with The Guardian, he said, “I don’t regret much in life. It was in the heat of the moment, and a lot of stuff happened in that game. Things that happen on the football pitch stay there, and that’s how it is.”
Gabriel’s Warning to Haaland
Gabriel, meanwhile, has since responded to the incident and warned Haaland about their upcoming clash when City visit the Emirates Stadium next year. “It’s a battle, a war, so it’s normal to have provocative acts in football; it’s part of the game. Now, this is over, and we are waiting for them at our ground,” Gabriel said, as quoted by GOAL.
The rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester City continues to heat up, and fans can expect an intense rematch when the two teams meet again.
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