‘Arsenal obtained underneath Man City’s pores and skin – the Premier League wants rivalry with edge’
It might not have been in the same league as what Martin Known once did to Ruud van Nistelrooy at Old Trafford.
Because let’s be honest, who would ever want to make such a prat of themselves, like Keown did back in 2003? But it feels like it’s been that long since English top flight football has had a simmering rivalry to cherish and look forward to.
I’m not advocating another ‘Battle of the Buffet’, which also took place at Old Trafford in 2004 when Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas is said to have hurled a piece of pizza at Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the tunnel. And I’m not condoning how Erling Haaland behaved towards Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday when Manchester City salvaged a last-gasp draw in the 98th minute.
READ MORE: Erling Haaland rants ‘stay humble’ at Arteta and calls ex-Man City ace ‘clown’
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For the record, Haaland chucked the ball at the back of Arsenal’s Gabriel head, who had pulled his shirt over his face in despair at not winning the game. Haaland also took out his fury on Arsenal substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly after the final whistle.
He appeared to mouth ‘who the f**k are you?’ at the teenager. For the record, Erling, Lewis-Skelly is the kid who managed to achieve something truly astonishing in Manchester.
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He got himself booked before he’d even got on the pitch for his league debut, having said something inappropriate to referee Michael Oliver while warming up.
But all of these incidents at the Etihad were enlightening for several reasons. Call them handbags, sh**housery, dark arts or whatever. But they proved there is now no love lost between these two teams – and neutrals should love it.
Arsenal have that chip on their shoulders which suggests they can get under the skin of the dominant force in the game. Mikel Arteta has drilled an attitude into his team, which is reflected by the likes of Thomas Partey on the pitch and Lewis-Skelly off it.
The Premier League needs a rivalry with an edge, one that simmers close to boiling point. It’s true the Premier League is the best one in the world. But it’s also true that when it comes to the title race, it’s been the most boring and predictable one this decade.
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Arsenal will be loving all the moaning City have done since Arteta’s men ruffled their feathers last weekend. The likes of Manuel Akanji and John Stones accused Arsenal of using negative and dubious tactics to get the result they wanted. Good.
Because for so long, all we’ve seen is City dispatch rivals like Arsenal back to where they came from with a patronising ‘off you trot’ message and ‘thanks for coming’. But Arsenal are refusing to buy into the status quo. City don’t like being challenged, but they need to be.
Haaland being sarcastic towards Arteta, then telling Gabriel Jesus to go forth and multiply, is good for the game.Top level sport is about disliking someone sometimes, and showing a lack of respect. It’s about skullduggery, marginal gains and mind games.
Fergie used to be a master of it. As did Jose Mourinho. When Mourinho took charge of Manchester United in 2016, we held our breath and waited for the fireworks to start between him and Guardiola.
It never happened. But the bitterness that now exists between City and Arsenal is real – and makes for a more interesting footballing landscape.
