Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland, recently broke his silence on the controversial incident involving Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes during their clash at the Etihad in September. The incident has sparked a lot of discussions among sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike.
Haaland had given Manchester City an early lead within the first ten minutes of the game. However, Arsenal quickly retaliated with Riccardo Calafiori scoring a spectacular equaliser. Gabriel then took advantage of a set-piece routine to give Arsenal a first-half lead. Despite being reduced to ten men following Leandro Trossard's red card, Mikel Arteta’s side managed to maintain their defensive stance throughout the second half.
The tension escalated when John Stones scored an equaliser for Manchester City in the 98th minute. In response, Haaland celebrated by throwing the ball at Gabriel - an action that stirred controversy among fans and critics alike.
No regrets from Haaland
Despite repeated clashes with Gabriel during the match and his controversial celebration after Stones' goal, neither VAR nor FA decided to punish Haaland for his actions. When asked about this incident during October’s international break, he showed no signs of regret.
The Norwegian striker brushed off questions about his behaviour on pitch saying that he was merely caught up in the heat of competition and didn't mean any disrespect towards anyone involved.
Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland, said:
"I don't regret much in life, In the heat of the moment things happened in that game. What happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch. That's how it is."
Post-game antagonism
Haaland’s antagonistic antics did not end with final whistle either; he was seen telling Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to "stay humble" post-match while also engaging in heated exchanges with former teammate Gabriel Jesus at centre circle after game concluded.
This incident has added another layer to already intense rivalry between these two Premier League giants and continues to be hot topic among football enthusiasts around world.
While Haaland's actions have been controversial, they have not resulted in any official sanctions. His competitive spirit and fiery temperament continue to make him a fascinating figure in the world of football. Whether you're a sports fan or a sports betting enthusiast, it's clear that Erling Haaland is one player who always keeps things interesting on and off the pitch.
