Tensions were high when Arsenal last faced Manchester City in the Premier League.
The Gunners went to the Etihad with the intention to win, but Leandro Trossard’s red card complicated things. However, Arsenal still managed to go 2-1 up and hold on until the final minute of the game.
Sadly, City equalised very late, and a few players from both sides had heated exchanges after the full-time whistle back in September.
Erling Haaland made the headlines after that game, and it wasn’t for the goal he scored.
Mikel Arteta responds to Erling Haaland’s ‘stay humble’ claim
Haaland was fired up after the game against Arsenal in September.
The Norwegian came to blows with Gabriel Magalhaes and even had an angry exchange with young Myles Lewis-Skelly, who didn’t back down.
The most famous moment came after the full-time whistle, when Haaland told Arteta to ‘stay humble’, which was absolutely unnecessary.
Since that infamous moment, Manchester City have been awful and Haaland himself went through a terrible run of form and came under a lot of criticism.
Ahead of the game at the Emirates on Sunday, Arteta was asked for a response about Haaland’s comments, and the Arsenal manager revealed that he just left that incident on the pitch.
Speaking in his press conference, as relayed on HaytersTV, Arteta said: “I don’t take anything personally. What happens on the pitch for me, since I’ve been a player, stays there.
“It’s full of emotions and things there, I just leave it aside and move on.”
Arsenal players cannot forget what happened after 2-2 draw vs Manchester City
Arsenal came under a lot of undeserved criticism following the draw at the Etihad in September.
Manchester City players like Bernardo Silva and John Stones criticised the Gunners’ style of play after the game, which was ludicrous.
What did City want them to do with 10 men and a 2-1 lead – play expansive football and give them space to get back into the game?
Arsenal were right to do what they did in that fixture, but the players should be fired up ahead of Sunday now as they have a point to prove.
We really hope that Arsenal produce a performance that will silence the likes of Haaland on Sunday.
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