Watch as rattled Erling Haaland confronts Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta with four words, his head was gone

Erling Haaland did not hold back with the comments he made to Mikel Arteta after full-time between Arsenal and Manchester City.

Sunday’s encounter between Arsenal and Manchester City was a feisty and hotly-contested affair.

The match, full of controversial incidents and drama, ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw after John Stones’ 98th minute strike salvaged a point for the reigning Premier League champions.

It was very much a game of two halves at the Etihad Stadium. The hosts started brightly, with Erling Haaland putting them ahead inside ten minutes, before Riccardo Calafiori’s controversial long-distance goal restored parity.

Bukayo Saka then made Arsenal history with another assist, as his corner found Gabriel Magalhaes at the back post. However, the game changed on the stroke of half-time with the sending off of Leandro Trossard.

Mikel Arteta had to change his side’s approach after the break, with the Gunners clearly instructed to sit back and soak up pressure. Arsenal used every trick in the book to try and see out the win, as they slowed down the match and sought to break up play.

It so nearly worked, too, as they came within seconds of claiming all three points. However, their tactics drew criticism from their opponents.

Erling Haaland amongst Man City stars to hit out at Mikel Arteta

John Stones labelled Arsenal “dirty” after the final whistle. Bernardo Silva also took aim at Arsenal, claiming that they lacked a will to truly go toe-to-toe with the Cityzens.

On top of that, Haaland delivered a message of his own to Arteta on the pitch at the end of the game.

The Norwegian striker was spotted telling the Spanish coach to: “Stay humble, stay humble.”

Arteta turned at these words, clearly affronted, but ultimately appeared to decide against clapping back with a retort.

Haaland shows cracks against Arsenal

Whilst Haaland is reliably ice cool in front of goal, the heat of this fixture appeared to get the better of him at times.

This comment to Arteta was not the only incident in the match that betrayed how close to the surface his emotions were. He was also noted to have said “who are you” to the Gunners’ teenage debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly, and was also seen throwing a ball at Gabriel’s head after this side’s late equaliser.

Haaland’s actions, as well as the comments from Stones and Silva, should be taken as compliments by Arsenal.

Such decorated Manchester City players would not seem so rattled if they did not feel that their place at the summit of English football wasn’t coming under serious threat from the Gunners.