Erling Haaland fuels fierce Arsenal rivalry with unapologetic stance over Gabriel clash

Erling Haaland insists he does not regret throwing the ball against the back of Gabriel’s head after Manchester City's last-gasp equaliser in last month’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal.

Haaland threw the ball at the Gunners defender in celebration after John Stones netted a 98th-minute leveller in a fraught encounter between title rivals at the Etihad Stadium, in which the Norwegian striker had opened the scoring with his 100th City goal.

The 24-year-old’s antics were reviewed at the time as well as retrospectively, but he escaped punishment from the Football Association (FA).

After the full-time whsitle at the Etihad, he was seen in a heated exchange with Gabriel Jesus after twice saying in the direction of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta: “Stay humble”.

Haaland will captain Norway against Slovenia and Austria in the Nations League this week with Arsenal midfielder and the nation’s permanent skipper Martin Odegaard still sidelined with an ankle injury.

“It was in the heat of the moment, and a lot of stuff happened in that game”, Haaland said when asked in a Norway press conference whether he, as captain, would condone his own antics. “Things that happen on the pitch stay there, and that's how it is.”

Asked whether he regrets throwing the ball at Gabriel, Haaland bluntly replied: “I don't regret much in life.”

Haaland is the runaway leader at the top of the Premier League scoring charts this season with 10 goals from his opening seven matches.