Arsenal’s Gabriel has ramped up the title race tension, issuing a battle cry as the Gunners seek revenge against Manchester City after a fierce clash.
The recent heated draw at the Etihad saw a fiery encounter between Brazilian ace Gabriel and City’s towering striker Erling Haaland. With eyes firmly set on payback, the determined Gunners’ star warned: “We are waiting for them at our ground.”
As Arsenal strive to surpass City in the title hunt, the showdown at the Emirates is now poised to be February’s most anticipated duel the latest grudge match that promises high stakes and intense rivalry.
In a twist of controversy, City’s Haaland has avoided FA action despite hurling the ball at Gabriel’s head following a dramatic equaliser an act missed by referee Michael Oliver and beyond VAR’s scope of correction.
Quizzed about the incident, Gabriel played it down: “No, I don’t remember it. I don’t remember it. It’s normal. But anyway, congratulations to the team for the draw.”
He further shrugged off the tension stating, “As I said, battle, war, provocation is normal in football and it is part of the game. It’s over now. Now we are waiting for them at our ground.”
However, Arsenal icon Ian Wright didn’t mince his words, lambasting Haaland as a “coward” for the unsporting gesture. He criticized, “Throwing the ball at Gabriel’s head when he’s not looking, when his back is turned to him, what a coward’s move. Gabi would look him in the eye. That’s what bothered me. I thought he was bigger than that.”
Tensions between the two clubs reached a boiling point, culminating in a dramatic 2-2 draw after Leandro Trossard received a red card during first-half injury time. Arsenal expressed their dissatisfaction with referee Oliver’s decision to send Trossard off, while Jeremy Doku was not penalised for delaying a restart.
The atmosphere intensified with heated confrontations at the end of the match at the Etihad, where players from both teams engaged in fiery disputes following City’s equalising goal. The coaching staff also exchanged harsh words, and players were involved in explicit arguments.
Haaland reportedly taunted Mikel Arteta, advising him to “stay humble” at the final whistle, and then escalated the situation by calling Gabriel Jesus a “f***ing clown”.
In an unusual turn of events, Arsenal substitute Myles Lewis-Skelley received a booking for unsporting behaviour before even stepping onto the pitch, allegedly for running behind the goal to communicate with goalkeeper David Raya, who sought medical attention shortly thereafter.
