Arsenal’s game against Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon is shaping up to be a heated encounter.
The Gunners want revenge for the late draw the Citizens inflicted on them in September, in a game that involved a controversial red card for Leandro Trossard.
City scored in the last minute to deny Arsenal a historic victory at the Etihad with ten men.
In the aftermath of the match, Erling Haaland sparked commotion on the pitch after telling Mikel Arteta to ‘stay humble’.
Since then, Haaland has endured a miserable run of results in a City shirt, and it seems Arsenal fans are ready to bring the noise to him at the Emirates this weekend.
Arsenal fans present message to Erling Haaland outside the Emirates
City travel to North London six points behind Arsenal, who are six points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.
Thus, the magnitude of the encounter is enormous, potentially dictating Arsenal’s place in the title race and City’s position in the top four battle.
Arteta urged fans to bring the energy to the stadium on Sunday, and it appears the Gunners faithful are already looking to cultivate a hostile atmosphere.
After Haaland’s outburst in the reverse fixture, Arsenal supporters certainly aren’t the biggest fans of the Norwegian striker.
The club’s locals have altered a traffic sign outside the Emirates ahead of the game, depicting Haaland behind a red cross.
The Gunners will look to create an ominous aura around the stadium, in an attempt to unsettle Haaland and his teammates, and this is certainly a good start.
Arteta has been handed an injury boost ahead of the clash, with David Raya expected to be fit.
Meanwhile, City will be without Ruben Dias, while Jeremy Doku is a doubt.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes can deal with Erling Haaland
While Haaland did open the scoring at the Etihad in September, the prolific number nine generally hasn’t fared well against Arsenal.
Last season, the 24-year-old didn’t score in either match against Arteta’s men, not managing a single shot in the clash in N5.
| Haaland vs Arsenal 08/10/2023 | |
| Minutes Played | 90 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Shots | 0 |
| Expected Goals | 0 |
| Key Passes | 2 |
| Expected Assists | 0.17 |
| Touches in Arsenal’s box | 4 |
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes dominated Haaland in both games, physically negating him to minimal touches and influence.
The duo are capable of replicating this domination, and this will be key to any success Arsenal have in the showdown.
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