“Battle, war” – Arsenal’s Gabriel responds to Erling Haaland throwing the ball at his head in fiery Etihad clash | OneFootball

A message has been sent out to Manchester City by Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes looking ahead to their next Premier League meeting in 2025.

The two Premier League title rivals played out a dramatic 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon in a game that ended in feisty scenes between both sets of players after John Stones had scored in the eighth minute of additional time to secure a point for the hosts.

Erling Haaland in particular was at the centre of dramatic scenes at the full-time whistle, notably telling Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta to “stay humble” and labelling Gabriel Jesus a “clown” in a face-to-face confrontation between the strikers.

But it was the Norwegian’s antics during Manchester City’s celebrations to their late winning goal that caught the attention of millions online after the game, having thrown the match ball into the back of Gabriel Magalhaes’ head.

Speaking after the fiery 2-2 draw between City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Magalhaes sent a word of warning to Pep Guardiola’s players in reference to their next meeting at the Emirates Stadium in 2025.

“No, I don’t remember it. I don’t remember it,” Gabriel responded when asked whether he remembered the moment Haaland threw the ball at his head, before the 24-year-old wheeled away in celebration, seconds after City had scored their equaliser in the 98th minute.

“It’s normal. But anyway, congratulations to the team for the draw,” he continued. “As I said, battle, war, provocation is normal in football and it is part of the game. It’s over now. Now we are waiting for them at our ground.”

Barring a meeting in either the Carabao Cup or the FA Cup, Manchester City and Arsenal will be reunited at the Emirates Stadium in early February, in a contest that could have huge implications on the remainder of the title race.

Before then, City will have to continue their battle for a fifth successive Premier League title without Rodri, who sustained a serious knee injury in the 21st minute of Sunday afternoon’s contest with Arsenal.

The Spaniard is expected to miss the remainder of the season having sustained damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, having lodged his leg in the Etihad turf whilst marshalled by Thomas Partey on an attacking Manchester City corner.