Arsenal legend Ian Wright recently launched into a passionate rant, targeting Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
Arsenal and Manchester City engaged in a fierce battle on Sunday afternoon.
A 98th minute equaliser from John Stones salvaged a 2-2 draw for Manchester City, after an incident-packed encounter between the two sides.
There was controversy surrounding Riccardo Calafiori’s goal with Pep Guardiola lashing out in the aftermath. Then there was the red card shown to Leandro Trossard for delaying a restart.
Mikel Arteta changed his tactics after the break, accounting for having been reduced to ten men by adopting a more cautious, defensive approach. This sparked criticism from Bernardo Silva, with the Manchester City ace suggesting that the Gunners lacked the courage to truly go toe-to-toe with the reigning Premier League champions.
Erling Haaland also clashed with Arteta after the final whistle, and was spotted engaging in numerous battles on the pitch throughout the game. At one stage, the Norwegian was seen throwing the ball at Gabriel Magalhaes’ head, as his side celebrated their late equaliser.
Ian Wright hits out at Erling Haaland after Arsenal vs Man City
Speaking on Instagram in the aftermath of this titanic Premier League clash, Ian Wright gave his verdict on two of the game’s flashpoints: Trossard’s dismissal, and Haaland’s act of throwing a ball at Gabriel.
The iconic former Arsenal striker said: “I just needed to put something out there, it’s been bothering me. Obviously, the Trossard sending off, of course in the moment you’re frustrated. It’s 2-1, I’m thinking, ‘yes, we’ve got them.’
“Then you get sent off for something that, let’s face it, it’s f***ing foolishness, what they’re getting sent off for now… Shouldn’t be sent off for that.
“You know what really boiled me up properly was Haaland’s coward’s move… Throwing the ball at Gabi’s head when he’s not looking, when Gabi’s back is turned to him. A real coward’s move.
“Gabi would look you in the eye… That’s what bothered me more than anything else, I thought you was bigger than that.”
How Arsenal rattled Manchester City
Having gone within a heartbeat of beating Manchester City on their own patch, it was clear that the Gunners were successful in unsettling Guardiola’s side.
Arteta and his players ought to take this as a compliment. Their hosts’ emotional outbursts following this encounter proves that the Cityzens take the threat that Arsenal pose seriously.
With only ten men on the pitch for half the match, Arsenal proved that they can adapt to a changing game state and still hold their own against Manchester City.
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