In an emotionally charged encounter, Arsenal’s Gabriel was seen laughing in Erling Haaland’s face after his side took an early lead in their dominant 5-1 win over Manchester City at the Emirates.
The Gunners made an electric start to the match, taking the lead just two minutes in through Martin Ødegaard’s third goal of the season. As the ball hit the back of the net, Gabriel didn’t hold back in his celebration, running towards his teammates but making a point to mock Haaland along the way. It was a moment that encapsulated the intensity of the rivalry between these two teams.
Sunday’s clash marked the first meeting between the sides since their heated 2-2 draw at the Emirates in September, a match filled with controversy and tensions. In that encounter, both Gabriel and Haaland found the net, but it was the post-match drama that truly stole the headlines. After John Stones’ last-minute equalizer for City, the two players squared off in a heated exchange. Haaland, visibly frustrated, threw the ball at Gabriel’s head, leading to a fiery confrontation between the teams. At the end of the match, Haaland also famously told Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to “stay humble,” a comment that has since been pointed to as a defining moment in the rivalry.
On Sunday, Gabriel seemed to have little interest in staying humble in the aftermath of Ødegaard’s opening goal. The defender’s cheeky celebration, aimed directly at Haaland, demonstrated that any lingering tensions from September were far from resolved. Gabriel’s antics were a clear indication that Arsenal, fresh off an impressive run of form, were determined to assert their dominance and not be intimidated by City’s star forward.
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Although Haaland briefly gave City fans something to cheer about when he equalized in the 55th minute with a powerful header, the joy was short-lived. Just 105 seconds later, Thomas Partey restored Arsenal’s lead, and the Gunners quickly put the game out of City’s reach. Myles Lewis-Skelly made it 3-1 with his first-ever goal for the club, further adding to the humiliation by imitating Haaland’s trademark meditation celebration. It was a fitting touch from the young Arsenal star, continuing the theme of taunting that had begun with Gabriel.
Arsenal’s dominance didn’t end there. Kai Havertz added a fourth for the Gunners, and substitute Ethan Nwaneri capped off the night with a fifth in stoppage time, sealing an emphatic 5-1 victory. It was a statement win for Mikel Arteta’s side, who had been in superb form throughout the match. The result further highlighted the gulf between the two teams, with Arsenal proving that they were not only the better side on the day but also more than capable of dismantling City’s defense.
Since that heated September draw, Manchester City’s form has taken a notable downturn. Before the 2-2 draw, Pep Guardiola’s side had won their first four Premier League matches, but they’ve struggled since, winning just eight of their next 19 league games, with seven defeats in that stretch. Haaland’s infamous words to Arteta and Arsenal have seemingly come back to haunt City, as their title defense falters in the face of mounting challenges. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s impressive performance on Sunday further established them as serious contenders for the Premier League crown.
