Following Arsenal’s resounding 5-1 victory over Manchester City, manager Mikel Arteta addressed questions regarding his players’ celebrations, some of which appeared to be directed at City striker Erling Haaland. The match, a crucial encounter in the Premier League title race, saw Arsenal deliver a dominant performance, fueling speculation about underlying tensions between the two teams.
The context for these celebrations appears rooted in previous encounters between the clubs. Last September, Manchester City secured a late draw against Arsenal, a match that also involved Haaland. Reports suggest Haaland had several on-field clashes with Arsenal players and even offered advice to Arteta to “stay humble” after the game. These incidents seem to have lingered in the minds of the Arsenal squad.
During Sunday’s match, following an early goal from Odegaard, Magalhaes celebrated in a manner that suggested it was directed towards Haaland. Later in the game, Lewis-Skelly mimicked Haaland’s signature meditative celebration after scoring Arsenal’s third goal. These actions prompted questions to Arteta in the post-match press conference.
Arteta, however, seemed keen to downplay the significance of the celebrations. “I haven’t seen it,” he stated. “There is nothing I want to disclose about that. The players know my views on that. We have to focus on us.” His response suggests a desire to avoid further controversy and maintain focus on the team’s performance.
While dismissing the celebrations, Arteta couldn’t hide his satisfaction with the win. “Maybe at the end a little more than usual,” he admitted, acknowledging the importance of the victory. “It’s a great day, for the result, the way we have done it and especially against a team of that quality, with the necessity that we had to win the game.”
The win brings Arsenal within six points of league leaders Liverpool, reigniting their title hopes. Arteta praised his team’s attitude and the electric atmosphere in the stadium, emphasizing the belief that they can compete with any opponent when playing at that level. While the player celebrations added a layer of intrigue to the match, Arteta’s focus remained firmly on the team’s performance and their pursuit of the Premier League title.