Erling Haaland’s Father Takes a Jab at Arsenal After Manchester City’s Defeat
In the world of football, rivalries are as much a part of the game as the goals and the glory. This past Sunday, the tension between Manchester City and Arsenal reached a new peak, not just on the field but off it as well. The match at the Emirates Stadium saw Arsenal deliver a stunning 5-1 thrashing to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, a result that has sparked reactions from fans and players alike.
One of the most talked-about reactions came from Alf-Inge Haaland, the father of Manchester City’s star striker, Erling Haaland. Alf-Inge, who himself is a former Manchester City midfielder, took to social media to express his thoughts on Arsenal’s victory. In a post on X, he aimed a dig at Arsenal’s recent history of not winning major trophies, writing: “«This Team» that wins everything. Ehhhhh, not.”
Alf-Inge’s comment highlights a criticism that has been directed at Arsenal despite their recent resurgence under manager Mikel Arteta. While Arsenal has been a formidable force in the Premier League, pushing Manchester City close for the title over the last two seasons, they have struggled to convert their performances into silverware. Arteta did lead the team to an FA Cup victory in the 2019-20 season, but since then, the trophy cabinet has remained bare.
Alf-Inge’s post was a response to Arsenal’s celebratory post after their emphatic win. The comment has added fuel to the fire of an already intense rivalry between the two clubs. This rivalry has been particularly evident in the interactions between Erling Haaland and Arsenal’s players, especially with centre-back Gabriel Magalhães.
The tension between Haaland and Gabriel was on full display during a previous encounter on September 22, when the two teams played to a 2-2 draw. Cameras caught Haaland in a heated exchange with Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and even telling Arsenal’s head coach Mikel Arteta to “stay humble” during the post-match handshakes. Haaland also managed to avoid punishment for an incident where he threw the ball at Gabriel following City’s stoppage-time equalizer.
In the latest match, the rivalry continued to simmer. Gabriel was seen celebrating Martin Ødegaard‘s opening goal right in front of Haaland, a move that seemed to be a deliberate provocation. Later, Arsenal’s right-back Myles Lewis-Skelly added to the drama by mimicking Haaland’s signature “lotus” pose yoga celebration after scoring Arsenal’s third goal in the 62nd minute.
Despite the loss, Haaland managed to find the back of the net for City, scoring their only goal with a well-placed header in the 55th minute. However, it was not enough to turn the tide for City, who now find themselves fourth in the league standings with 41 points, a significant 15 points behind the league leaders, Liverpool.
Arsenal’s victory has brought them within six points of Liverpool, keeping their hopes alive in the title race. However, the focus remains on their ability to maintain consistency and finally add more silverware to their collection.
- Arsenal’s recent form has been impressive, but the lack of trophies remains a talking point.
- Erling Haaland’s rivalry with Arsenal players, especially Gabriel, adds an intriguing subplot to their encounters.
- Manchester City’s position in the league is precarious, and they need to close the gap with Liverpool.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on these two clubs to see how their rivalry unfolds and whether Arsenal can finally break their trophy drought. For now, the banter and the battles continue, both on and off the pitch.
Originally Written by: ESPN
