Premier League: Arteta Brushes Off Haaland Clash Defends Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta downplayed his post-match confrontation with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, after an intense 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium. Following the heated encounter, Haaland exchanged words with Arteta, but the Arsenal boss remained calm, saying, "It’s part of football, part of sport. After the game, all that goes away and we move on. That’s it."

The match, which saw Arsenal reduced to 10 men after Leandro Trossard was sent off, was filled with drama – including a stoppage-time equaliser by John Stones, an injury to Rodri, and tempers flaring. Arteta, however, stood by his team’s defensive approach in the second half, saying, “We had to play the game that we had to play... We were thrown in a very different context and did what every team does.” He referenced a past defeat where Arsenal failed to adapt, adding, “We’ve been in the same situation a few times... We’d better learn.”

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Despite the frustrations, Arteta expressed pride in his players, emphasising their ability to adapt to difficult situations. “I think the desire that the team has to compete in any context and to adapt... is superb,” he said. Though proud of their resilience, Arteta was clear that the goal remains to win, stating, "Happy? No... But not happy because we want to win."

Looking Ahead

Arsenal will aim to bounce back in their upcoming Carabao Cup third-round tie against Bolton on Wednesday, followed by a Premier League fixture against newly-promoted Leicester, where they’ll seek to protect their unbeaten league record.

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