Arsenal fans all have a theory about Ben White after he was led away from Erling Haaland by Mikel Arteta

There were fractious scenes at the end of Arsenal’s recent draw against Manchester City.

It was a heated and combative affair when Manchester City hosted Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

There were multiple flashpoints throughout the match. Pep Guardiola kicked a chair in anger after Riccardo Calafiori’s goal was allowed to stand.

There were also comings together between players, such as when Kai Havertz and Rodri clashed within the first few seconds of the match.

Things reached fever pitch in the dying seconds of the game, though, as John Stones struck an equaliser at the death, after Mikel Arteta’s side had held the reigning champions at bay for so long.

Emotions overflowed at this stage. A Manchester City staff member invaded the pitch in celebration. Striker Erling Haaland was also particularly guilty of letting the drama of the situation get the better of him.

Arsenal fans spot Ben White preparing to clash with Erling Haaland

The Norwegian striker threw a ball at Gabriel Magalhaes’ head in celebrating Stones’ goal. This led Arsenal legend Ian Wright to call Haaland a coward.

Haaland also told Arteta to “stay humble” after the final whistle, clearly irking the Spanish coach.

Arsenal fans on X, reviewing footage of this post-match incident, now believe that they have seen Ben White preparing to go toe-to-toe with Haaland, before the right-back was led away from the scene by Arteta.

One said: “Arteta knows his guy Ben white so well. He saw Ben was going to destroy.”

Another stated: “Benny Blanco was scheming something and Arteta smelled it.”

One claimed: “100% Ben White is willing to go to jail for Arteta and I love it.”

Another added: “Lmao Arteta knows Ben White was about to go crazy.”

We will never know what White may have done, had he not been escorted from the scene by Arteta, but many Arsenal supporters are convinced that he was prepared to take issue with Haaland himself.

Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal into warriors

In the latter stages of Arsene Wenger’s reign, Arsenal were considered something of a soft touch by many; a wonderfully talented team, flawed with a lack of fighting spirit.

The same cannot be said of Arteta’s current squad. In the likes of White, Gabriel, Declan Rice, William Saliba, and Jurrien Timber, amongst others, he has a group of players who cannot be cowed or intimidated.

This is part of the mentality that Arteta has sought to instil in the Emirates Stadium dressing room, and it is an attitude that will serve his players well when it comes to competing in the title race once again this season.