Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes responds after Erling Haaland throws ball at his head in Manchester City draw

Gabriel Magalhaes has played down the significance of his clash with Erling Haaland in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City, arguing that ‘provocation is normal’ after the striker was seen throwing the ball at his head.

Sunday’s heavyweight Premier League encounter proved a highly controversial and bad-tempered affair, with tensions boiling over on a number of occasions across the 90 minutes at the Etihad.

Arsenal, chasing their first win at the stadium in nearly a decade, fought back admirably following Haaland’s early opener to take a 2-1 lead at the halfway stage, with Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel both scoring.

And the Gunners looked set for a famous victory after Leandro Trossard’s red card on the stroke of half-time, only for John Stones to scramble home a dramatic last-ditch equaliser for the champions in the dying embers of the game.

Haaland and Gabriel were at each other’s throats for the most part and replays showed the City forward launching the ball at the back of the Brazilian’s head in the immediate aftermath of Stones’ stoppage-time strike.

Asked whether he felt the ball strike his head, Gabriel told TNT Sports Brasil: ‘No, I don’t remember it. I don’t remember it. It’s normal.

‘But anyway, congratulations to the team for the draw.

‘As I said, battle, war, provocation is normal in football and it is part of the game.

‘It’s over now.

‘Now we are waiting for them at our house.’

Gabriel believes Arsenal’s rivalry with City is ‘growing’ all the time and Pep Guardiola’s side are well aware of the threat they pose in this season’s title race.

‘The rivalry will always exist and I think it is growing more and more,’ the defender added.

‘We know their quality and they know our quality too.

‘So I think we are growing step by step and we must continue learning along the way.’

Arsenal’s dogged performance received widespread praise but rubbed City’s players up the wrong way, with Mikel Arteta’s men accused of excessive time-wasting as they desperately defended their narrow lead in the second half.

Bernardo Silva was quick to call out Arsenal’s negative approach in the aftermath and Manuel Akanji followed suit, while accusing the away team of actively ‘looking for’ drama.

I think it’s what they’re looking for, it’s always the way when we play against them. That’s what they’re looking for: drama,’ the City defender said in the mixed zone after the draw.

‘Going hard early doors, defend, 11 players in their own box and then go on set-pieces and try to score a goal.

‘I mean it worked for them. If they’re happy with one point… we’re not really. Obviously we tried to get more but I think that’s what they’re happy with.’

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