Arsenal Defender Gabriel Issues Challenge to Erling Haaland and Manchester City After Heated Clash And Ball Incident

Arsenal defender Gabriel has fired a warning to Manchester City after Erling Haaland threw the ball at his head during Sunday’s Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite being down to ten men, Arsenal managed to hold onto a 2-1 lead until the 98th minute, when City’s John Stones scored a dramatic equaliser.

An early Haaland goal was cancelled out by a wonderful strike by Riccardo Calafiori on the Italian defender’s first start for the Gunners.

Gabriel scored deep into the first half to put Arsenal in front, before Leandro Trossard was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

After the late goal, Haaland threw the ball at Gabriel’s head, and he was also caught on camera telling Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to “stay humble” after the match.

Gabriel Issues Stern Warning To Man City and Haaland

After the match, Gabriel acknowledged the heated atmosphere and downplayed the incident. “I don’t even remember this,” he told TNT Sports Brazil. “It’s normal; they were happy after scoring in the last minute.”

“They were playing at home, so their duty was to win the match, but our team did really well to resist. It’s a battle, a war, so it’s normal to have provocative acts in football. It’s part of the game.”

He concluded with a stern message to their Premier League title rivals, “Now this is over, and we are waiting for them at our ground.”

🔴⚪️🇧🇷 Gabriel Magalhães: “We are waiting for Man City at our ground”.

“Haaland? I don’t remember what he did. It’s normal. But anyway, congratulations”.

“Battle, war, provocation is normal and it's also part of the game”.

“It’s over now…”, says via @johncrossmirror. pic.twitter.com/T6j4uf1jSy

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 23, 2024

The incident was reviewed by VAR but was not deemed to be an act of violent conduct, meaning Haaland will not face any retrospective punishment.

However, Gabriel’s warning to City ahead of their upcoming clash at the Emirates Stadium suggests the rivalry between the two teams is set to intensify.

With both teams vying for the Premier League title, the reverse fixture on 1 February 2025 will be a pivotal match in determining the champions.