Arsenal players have taken aim at Erling Haaland after their stunning 5-1 victory against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on February 2, 2025. The match not only showcased Arsenal's prowess but also reignited the fierce rivalry between the two clubs, with the Gunners mocking the Norwegian striker during and after the game.
The clash started with lightning intensity as Arsenal took charge early. Just two minutes after kick-off, Martin Ødegaard put the Gunners on the scoreboard, and from there, it was clear they were on the front foot. After the equalizer from Haaland, who scored with a powerful header, Arsenal quickly regrouped, scoring four goals in the second half, with young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly shining brightly.
Lewis-Skelly, reveling in his first senior goal for the club, mimicked Haaland’s famous meditation celebration after netting the third goal. This act was emblematic of the game’s emotional climate and not lost on the club's social media team, who proudly exclaimed on platform X, "This team!" to underline their triumph over the reigning champions.
But the celebration didn’t end there. Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães also played his part, taunting Haaland after Ødegaard's opener. Gabriel, reflecting on earlier exchanges, roared right in Haaland's face, reigniting tensions from the teams' prior encounter. The cheeky exchanges on the pitch drew cheers from the home crowd, aiming to unsettle Haaland and signify the Gunners’ revenge for past provocations.
Following the match, Alfie Haaland, Erling's father, made his displeasure clear. Reacting to the social media posts from Arsenal, he commented, "This team winning everything. Ehhhhh, no," highlighting the lack of recent trophies for Arsenal compared to his son's team. The response took flight on social media, adding another layer to the brewing rivalry.
Despite the taunts, Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta emphasized the importance of keeping focus on the team rather than the emotions of the moment. “I don’t want to discuss about it, it’s down to the players but they know my view on it,” he stated when asked about the mocking celebrations. His urge was clear—maintain professionalism regardless of the heat of the moment.
For Pep Guardiola, the heavy defeat was another brutal lesson for his side. The legendary manager insisted after the game, “That’s good, I didn’t see it,” when approached with news of Arsenal's playful mockery. He reflected seriously on the vulnerabilities displayed by his team, particularly how they succumbed to the Gunners’ relentless assault.
City defender John Stones echoed the sentiment of frustration post-defeat, stating, “Pride hurts. Sorry to the fans, how we played was not acceptable.” His candid reflection spoke volumes about the emotional state within the City camp after their capitulation at the hands of their rivals.
Arsenal’s emphatic win not only reinstated their status among the Premier League elite but also reduced the gap with league leaders Liverpool to just six points, putting pressure on City as they sit fourth with increasing concerns for their top-four ambitions.
Lewis-Skelly's goal and celebration were especially poignant as they hinted at his promise as he integrates firmly within the first team. The young player even took to Instagram post-match, captioning his celebration photo with the phrase, “Keep it humble,” reinforcing the notion of the rivalry's intensity and the weight of the moment.
This dynamic encounter encapsulated the fiery narrative surrounding Arsenal and Manchester City, with both teams eager to assert themselves as they navigate the remainder of the season. The growing intensity between the clubs, particularly through the lens of Haaland’s involvement, signifies not just rivalry, but the narrative boundaries redefining this storied competition.