Erling Haaland 'doesn't regret' throwing ball at Arsenal star Gabriel's head – 'that's how it is'

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has stoked up the title battle with Arsenal, insisting he doesn't see any problem with throwing the ball at Gabriel's head after the late drama at the Etihad

Posted Thursday, October 10, 2024 by Dailystar.co.uk

Erling Haaland insists he has no regrets about throwing a ball at the head of Arsenal rival Gabriel.

Video footage showed Manchester City star Haaland pick the ball out of the net and chuck it a Gabriel following John Stones' stoppage-time equaliser in the fiery clash at the Etihad last month. Haaland's actions sparked a furious melee between both sets of players at the final whistle.

Haaland and Gabriel battled during the game

Haaland feared he could be hit with retrospective action from the authorities and handed a ban over his actions in the 2-2 draw at the Etihad. But the FA confirmed that because VAR reviewed the incident at the time and no action was taken, Haaland wouldn't be charged with violent conduct.

Gabriel went on to stoke up the title rivalry by warning the champions Arsenal would be hell-bent on revenge when the sides meet again at the Emirates later this season. The Brazilian defender said: "We are waiting for them at our ground."

But in a move that will raise tensions between the two clubs even further, Norwegian goal machine Haaland admits he doesn't regret what he did – and has told Arsenal to stop moaning about it.

Haaland said: "I don't regret much in life. In the heat of the moment, things happened in that game. What happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch. That's how it is."

Manchester City and Arsenal will next meet in the league when the champions travel to the Emirates Stadium in North London on February 25. For now they lie second and third in the table respectively, behind leaders Liverpool.