Home Football Erling Haaland throws the ball at Gabriel’s HEAD as tempers boil out between Man City’s staff and players during exciting 2-2 tie after John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser

Erling Haaland throws the ball at Gabriel’s HEAD as tempers boil out between Man City’s staff and players during exciting 2-2 tie after John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser

Football — 09/23/2024

After seeming to toss the ball at the back of Gabriel’s head, Erling Haaland found himself in the thick of a touchline spat with Arsenal officials and players.

City was celebrating John Stones’ last-gasp level; the Blues trailed Arsenal 2-1 at home until the eighth stoppage time minute.

Haaland can be seen lifting the ball up and throwing it straight at Arsenal defender Gabriel’s head, who had his back to the City attacker, immediately following the goal.

Whether the throw was deliberate or not, it ignited the touch paper between the two players on the whistle and included both sets of players and coaching staff.

Man City's Erling Haaland (left) and Arsenal's Gabriel (right) squared-up at the game's whistle+7View gallery

Man City’s Erling Haaland (left) and Arsenal’s Gabriel (right) squared-up at the game’s whistle

A blow-by-blow of the ball-throwing incident between Haaland and Arsenal defender Gabriel+7View gallery

A blow-by-blow of the ball-throwing incident between Haaland and Arsenal defender Gabriel

Arsenal can be seen picking up the ball from the net after John Stones' last-gasp equaliser+7View gallery

Arsenal can be seen picking up the ball from the net after John Stones’ last-gasp equaliser

The ball ricochets off Gabriel's head as City players celebrate the equalising goal+7View gallery

The ball ricochets off Gabriel’s head as City players celebrate the equalising goal

Haaland's action lit a fuse between the two players at the game's conclusion+7View gallery

Haaland’s action lit a fuse between the two players at the game’s conclusion

The incident then sparked a headed exchange between both sets of players and coaching staff

Stones disclosed the last instructions Pep Guardiola gave him after the game. He turned out to be the unusual hero for Manchester City in their gripping 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

While Stones happened to be in the right place at the right moment as he tucked home the equaliser in the 98th minute, the 10-man Gunners appeared to be on route for success.

Stones replaced Kyle Walker, at right back, in the 78th minute of the tournament.

But City threw the kitchen sink at Arsenal to find an equaliser, and the centre-back was jammed up top alongside elite striker Erling Haaland.

Stones opened the door on what Guardiola advised him to do once he was on the field in a post-game interview with Sky Sports.

‘He [Guardiola] wants me to try and perhaps win a few aerial duels by playing nearer to Erling, higher up the pitch, to get more crosses in,’ Stones remarked.

Stones revealed in a post-match interview how manager Pep Guardiola gives players in all positions the freedom of movement to create pressure that consistent and fluid+7View gallery

Stones stated in a post-match interview how manager Pep Guardiola provides players in all positions the freedom of mobility to generate pressure that constant and fluid.

‘He’s so flexible; everyone performs in pockets; movements are flowing and one can identify if someone isn’t in their right place to occupy it.

‘But I tried to go on and get in the proper spots, and it dropped for me fortunately; I’m quite happy to score a goal like that.’

Stones has made almost 250 City appearances in all competitions since switching from Everton to the Etihad Stadium in August 2016.