At the beginning of last season, Arsenal and Manchester City faced off in a hard-fought contest at the Etihad Stadium. Despite being reduced to ten men, the Gunners came close to securing a memorable victory, leading 2–1 before City equalised with a late goal.
Following the dramatic draw, a fired-up Erling Haaland was seen on camera urging Arsenal players and staff to “be humble” in the aftermath of the match. His words added fuel to what has become a growing rivalry between the two Premier League contenders.
Arsenal Respond in Style
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In the weeks following that encounter, Manchester City experienced a prolonged dip in form, which extended through much of the season. Haaland’s comments helped set the tone for a charged reverse fixture, as Arsenal sought to respond both on the pitch and in attitude.
When the two sides met again, the Gunners delivered a commanding performance, defeating City 5–1 in a result that made headlines across Europe. One of the standout moments came when Myles Lewis-Skelly celebrated by mimicking Haaland’s signature celebration, a clear nod to the earlier exchange and a bold expression of confidence.
Arsenal’s emphatic victory served as a statement of intent and underscored their growing stature as serious challengers. In recent seasons, the North London side has become an increasingly formidable opponent for Pep Guardiola’s team, pushing City harder than most.
Haaland Admits Arsenal Had the Last Word
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Speaking about the incident and its aftermath, Haaland has now acknowledged Arsenal’s strong response. As quoted by [Goal](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/erling-haaland-responds-myles-lewis-skelly-man-city-striker-reveals-meaning-stay-humble-message-arsenal/bltd1e6b130cdd76757#cscac8514661750c93), he stated:
“They won the game 5–1. So yeah, they got me. If he wanted to use that moment to mock me, that’s fair enough for him. Whatever he wants to do, he can do.”
The City striker’s remarks reflect both humility and recognition of Arsenal’s growing threat. With both clubs continuing to battle for domestic supremacy, their encounters are expected to remain fiercely competitive.