Erling Haaland has dismissed Arsenal’s complaints after he threw a ball at Gabriel during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium last month.
Haaland was at the centre of a huge bust-up in the immediate aftermath of the game after he threw the ball at Gabriel’s head moments after John Stones’ injury-time equaliser rescued a draw for Pep Guardiola’s side.
The City striker, who avoided retrospective action from the Football Association, was also caught calling Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus a ‘clown’, while he repeatedly told Mikel Arteta to ‘be humble’.
When asked about the incident during a press conference with Norway’s national team on Wednesday, Haaland replied: ‘It was in the heat of the match and a bit of everything happened in that match.
‘What happens on the football pitch, happens on the football pitch. That’s the way it is. I don’t regret anything in life.’
Speaking after the game, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright slammed Haaland for his conduct.
‘The one thing that boiled me up properly was Haaland’s coward’s move,’ Wright said.
‘Throwing the ball at Gabi’s head when he’s not looking. When Gabi’s back’s turned to him. Real coward’s move. Gabi would look him in the eye, you know.
‘That’s what bothered me more than anything else. I thought you [Haaland] were bigger than that.’
Haaland is set to captain Norway in the absence of Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard, who misses the international break due to an ankle ligament injury.
Norway will play Slovenia in the Nations League on Thursday before travelling to face Austria on Sunday.
Asked how he will lead the team in Odegaard’s absence, Haaland said: ‘Like when I’m not captain.
‘You should not try to be anyone other than yourself, the same goes for everyone in this world. I think it’s important to be yourself.’
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