Ian Wright has branded Erling Haaland a “coward” after the Manchester City striker threw the ball at the head of Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes during Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League draw.
Haaland ran into the net to collect the ball while celebrating when John Stones scored a late equaliser at the Etihad Stadium after a heated meeting between the two title rivals and threw it at the back of Gabriel’s head.
The incident was checked by VAR but was not deemed to be an act of violent conduct and thereby worthy of a red card.
City star Haaland will not face any retrospective punishment from the Premier League for the incident and will be available for their Carabao Cup clash at home against Watford on Tuesday night.
It was far from the only flashpoint involving the Norway international, who was captured telling Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to “stay humble” after the game before getting in an angry confrontation with Gunners striker Gabriel Jesus.
Reflecting on the Gabriel incident specifically, former Arsenal striker-turned-pundit Wright recorded a message in a video posted on his Instagram feed.
“The one thing that boiled me up properly was Haaland’s coward’s move, bro. I saw it this morning properly,” he said.
“Throwing the ball in 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. I’m looking at this as a really good defender vs striker for the years to come, them two. I love watching them two. And then you’re doing a coward’s move like that?
“That’s what bothered me more than anything else. I thought you was bigger than that, bro. I thought you was bigger than that.”
Arsenal are due to host City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday February 1, 2025, in what promises to be another titanic tussle.
