Gabriel has sly dig at Manchester City celebrating draw | OneFootball

Gabriel Magalhaes says Arsenal are waiting for Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium, aiming a sly dig at Sunday’s opponents for failing to beat 10 men at home.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Gabriel of Arsenal scores his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Gabriel Magalhaes was one of the stars of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City, proving a dominant threat on corners to give the Gunners the lead and then putting in a battling defensive performance after Leandro Trossard’s red card.

The Brazilian centre-back had clearly infuriated Erling Haaland, with the striker throwing the ball at Gabriel’s head after City’s late equaliser.

The level-headed move would have been to get the ball back on the centre spot and try and win the match in the minute or so remaining. But Haaland let his emotions get the better of him and wasted that chance.

Erling Haaland throws the ball at Gabriel Magalhaes during Arsenal’s match against Manchester City (Image via Arsenal.com)

After the game, Gabriel was asked about the incident. He responded that he didn’t even remember getting hit, before pointing out that City should have been focusing on trying to get the three points.

“I don’t even remember that, I don’t remember it,” Gabriel said. “I think they were happy to have scored there at the last minute, right?

“I think they are playing at home and their duty would be to win the game, right?

“But anyway, the team is to be congratulated. As I said, it’s a battle. A war. Provocation is normal in football. Now it’s over and we’re waiting for them at our house.”

LONDON, ENGLAND: Gabriel of Arsenal celebrates victory after the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Arsenal face Manchester City again on the weekend of February 1st, and the hope is that the Gunners will have more of their first-choice team available on that occasion.

The likes of Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino should have long returned from their injuries, and we can only keep our fingers crossed that the team will also be allowed to have 11 players on the pitch for 90 minutes.

With those changes and the Emirates Stadium crowd behind the team, Arsenal will look to make it an uncomfortable 90 minutes for February’s visitors.