Arsenal made headlines after their stunning 5-1 victory over Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on February 2, 2025, demonstrating both their attacking prowess and emotional intensity. Despite the massive scoreline, reactions to the match have been mixed, particularly concerning player conduct on the pitch.
The Arsenal side celebrated with gusto as they dismantled Manchester City, keeping pressure on league leaders Liverpool. Key moments from the match saw Gabriel Magalhaes face-off with Erling Haaland. Following Martin Ødegaard's opener, Gabriel was seen celebrating aggressively, yelling directly at Haaland, sparking controversy about sportsmanship.
This behavior did not sit well with former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, who criticized Gabriel's actions as disrespectful. During his Sky Sports podcast, Neville reflected on similar experiences from his playing days, saying, "I want to mention Gabriel and what he did to Haaland. It really happened to me at Highbury years ago. I actually didn't like it; I thought it was a bit disrespectful." He emphasized feeling uncomfortable with players celebrating too aggressively, regardless of the on-field rivalry.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta echoed concerns raised by pundits, urging his team to keep their focus on football rather than theatrics. "We have to focus on ourselves and let whatever happens there, just part of the games on the pitch," Arteta asserted. He insisted his players are aware of his views on their conduct and need to maintain professionalism even after significant victories.
The match itself was laden with drama, not just from the scoreboard. Erling Haaland, who had been under considerable scrutiny after the loss, was seen pointing to his Premier League champion badge—a subtle reminder of his status as one of the league’s top players. This moment was noted by sports commentators as indicative of the continuing rivalry; as much as Arsenal celebrated, Haaland’s gesture served as proof of City’s dominance in recent seasons.
Yet, Arsenal fans reveled in the win, with young midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly scoring one of the goals. Following his strike, Lewis-Skelly cheekily imitated Haaland's signature celebration, igniting the Emirates crowd. Some might see this as playful banter, but it was also perceived as petty taunting, especially considering Haaland’s established prominence.
Their aggressive joy may have roots dating back to the teams' previous encounter, which ended controversially with City’s equalizer at the death and tensions spilling over post-match. Haaland had previously told Arteta to stay humble, making this emphatic victory even sweeter for Arsenal fans. This match is now seen not just as a victory, but as redemption.
Despite the euphoria of victory, this was not without its challenges. Arteta, aware of the emotional investment his players exhibit, knows the importance of grounding their mindset for the inevitable follow-up matches, particularly as they aim to catch Liverpool, who currently hold the lead in the Premier League table with additional games to play.
Arteta remarked, "There’s nothing I want to discuss about [the taunting], it’s down to the players, but they know my view on it. We’ve been in football for a long time—just leave it, there’s nothing there to do." This statement indicated his desire for his players to focus on the game and approach rivalries with professionalism rather than letting emotions dictate their actions on the pitch.
Now, with the victory firmly behind them, Arsenal must ask themselves whether they can carry this momentum forward. They are far from being just spirit-filled competitors; the club is also chasing multiple trophies: the Premier League, the Carabao Cup and the Champions League remain on their agenda this season. Yet at this juncture, the challenge will be to avoid distractions and maintain the level of discipline and focus required to capitalize on this pivotal moment.
With their upcoming matches on the horizon, the pressure is on Arsenal not only to repeat their successes but to also establish themselves as true title contenders, minimizing distractions—internal or external—along the way. Will this match act as the turning point for Arsenal’s ambitions, or will they fall victim to inconsistency as they strive for greatness?