September 24th 2024.
Martin Keown was completely captivated by the intense showdown between Erling Haaland and Arsenal's two central defenders. After his controversial behavior during Sunday's Premier League match, Keown suggests that Haaland has now become Arsenal's "personal enemy". Despite failing to score against the Gunners in their three previous encounters, the Norwegian striker was determined to set the record straight against Arsenal's formidable defense consisting of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
True to his determination, Haaland only needed eight minutes to break the deadlock with a confident finish, marking his 100th goal for Manchester City. However, his influence on the game diminished in the second half as Arsenal's resolute defense held strong, coming within seconds of securing a remarkable victory. The dramatic equalizer by John Stones in the 98th minute brought a sense of relief and joy for City, but also sparked controversy as Haaland impulsively threw the ball at Gabriel's head in frustration.
The tension continued after the final whistle, with Haaland appearing to take jabs at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and striker Gabriel Jesus. For Keown, these heated moments were reminiscent of Arsenal's famous clashes with Manchester United and his own personal rivalry with Ruud van Nistelrooy. The intensity between Haaland and Gabriel Magalhaes was evident throughout the game, with multiple flashpoints between the two players.
Reflecting on the match, Keown shared that during his playing days, he kept a mental list of players who he could engage in a physical battle with on the field. While some opponents would easily crumble, others like Mark Hughes would give as good as they got. Haaland has proven himself to be a formidable opponent, not just as a striker, but also in terms of physicality. The incident with Gabriel after Stones' goal only added fuel to the fire, showing that Haaland is not one to back down from a challenge.
Keown also draws parallels between this intense rivalry between Haaland and Arsenal's defenders to the historic clashes between Arsenal and Manchester United. The ill-feeling between the two teams was palpable, with both sides determined to come out on top. Led by Haaland, this same rivalry and animosity is now developing between two of English football's latest elite teams.
However, Keown believes that the respect between Arteta and City manager Pep Guardiola helped keep the tensions in check. Unlike the early days of Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson's rivalry, the current managers have a close friendship that prevents the rivalry from turning ugly. But make no mistake, when these two teams meet again, the hostility between Haaland and Arsenal's defenders will continue to simmer.
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