Erling Haaland found himself in the middle of a touchline spat with Arsenal coaching staff and officials, after appearing to throw the ball at the back of Gabriel’s head.
City were celebrating John Stones‘ last-gasp equaliser, as the Blues trailed Arsenal 2-1 at home until the eighth minute of stoppage time.
In the immediate aftermath of the goal, Haaland can be seen picking the ball up and throwing it directly at Arsenal defender Gabriel’s head, who had his back to the City striker.
Whether the throw was intentional or not, it lit the touch paper between the two players on the whistle, with both sets of players and coaching staff getting involved.
Man City’s Erling Haaland (left) and Arsenal’s Gabriel (right) squared-up at the game’s whistle
A blow-by-blow of the ball-throwing incident between Haaland and Arsenal defender Gabriel
Arsenal can be seen picking up the ball from the net after John Stones’ last-gasp equaliser
The ball ricochets off Gabriel’s head as City players celebrate the equalising goal
Haaland’s action lit a fuse between the two players at the game’s conclusion
The incident then sparked a headed exchange between both sets of players and coaching staff
Ten-man Arsenal looked to be holding on for a famous victory at the Etihad, after midfielder Leandro Trossard was sent-off before half-time.
But Stones and Pep Guardiola’s Blues had other ideas, with a dogged effort that left both teams sharing a point a piece.
After the game, Stones revealed the final instructions given to him by Pep Guardiola before coming on as he proved to be the unlikely hero for Manchester City in their riveting 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
The 10-man Gunners looked to be on course for victory but Stones happened to be in the right place at the right time as he poked home the equaliser in the 98th minute.
Stones entered the contest in the 78th minute in place of Kyle Walker, who was at right back.
However, the centre-back was lumped up top alongside superstar striker Erling Haaland as City threw the kitchen sink at Arsenal to find an equaliser, which they did.
In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Stones lifted the lid on what Guardiola told him to do once he was on the park.
‘He [Guardiola] wanted me to play closer to Erling, higher up the pitch, to get more crosses in and hopefully try and win a few aerial duels,’ Stones said.
Stones revealed in a post-match interview how manager Pep Guardiola gives players in all positions the freedom of movement to create pressure that consistent and fluid
‘He’s so interchangeable, everyone plays in pockets, so fluid in movements and recognising if someone isn’t in their position to occupy it.
‘But I tried to go on and get in the right areas, and it fell for me luckily, and I’m really pleased to score a goal like that.’
Since moving to the Etihad Stadium from Everton in August 2016, Stones has amassed over 250 appearances for City in all competitions.