08 October 2023 , 17:36
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Manchester City star Erling Haaland was furious at full-time in his team's loss at Arsenal - with the striker and two team-mates involved in a heated bust-up with Gunners staff.
City star Haaland had drawn a blank as his team slumped to a 1-0 defeat away to their title rivals. After 85 goalless minutes, Gabriel Martinelli's shot deflected in off Nathan Ake to give Arsenal all three points. Reigning champions City were without key men Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne for the game, while Arsenal were without the injured Bukayo Saka.
It was Mikel Arteta's team who came out on top - and Haaland and team-mates Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish were involved in a fiery bust-up moments after the full-time whistle was blown. It is understood the clash was with members of Arsenal's backroom staff - including Arsenal's former City coach Nicolas Jover - as they left the pitch.
Asked after the game about his thoughts on the incident, City manager Pep Guardiola remained tight-lipped. In his post-match press conference, he said: "I know what happened but I'm not going to say."
Arsenal went into the match having not beaten City in the league since Arsene Wenger was in the dugout. However, with the visitors missing some key men, Arteta's team took their chance.
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There was controversy in the first half as Mateo Kovacic escaped a red card - luckily, in the eyes of some of those watching on. It didn't matter in the end, though, with Martinelli's late effort making the difference.
The defeat was City's second in a row in the league - the first time since December 2018 that they have lost successive league games. Haaland, meanwhile, has now gone three games without finding the net after scoring nine in 10 for club and country before the current drought.
Arsenal were beaten home and away by City last season in the Premier League. Haaland scored in both of those meetings, a 3-1 win in North London and a 4-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium, but was kept quiet by William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus this time around.
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The result means Arsenal go into the international break ahead of their rivals. City might have beaten RB Leipzig in Europe in midweek, but their successive league reverses leave them down in third.
Arsenal needed a two-goal win to claim top spot going into the break, but instead sit behind neighbours Tottenham on goals scored. Both North London teams remain unbeaten, with Spurs claiming a 1-0 victory at Luton on Saturday.
When Arsenal's players return from international duty, they will travel to a resurgent Chelsea for a testing London derby. The Blues are coming off successive league wins for the first time this season, having followed their victory over Fulham by winning 4-1 at Burnley.