Camera footage has shown what Erling Haaland said to Mikel Arteta as tempers flared at full-time at the Etihad.
Haaland certainly had something to say to Arsenal boss Arteta after the 2-2 draw in which he scored his 100th club goal, with one of Sky Sports’ cameras picking up the brief interaction.
“Stay humble, eh? Stay humble, eh” he said whilst giving him a quick pat on the pack.
Arteta did not appear to be impressed and stopped walking to stare down the imposing striker, who was delighted at denying his title rivals three valuable points as City scored eight minutes into injury-time.
Arteta chose not to engage but Gabriel Jesus did, telling his opposite number to calm down and question the need for trash talk when the game was over.
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However, Haaland appeared irritated hit back: “Talking about what? I wasn’t talking ***** clown.”
“Don’t touch me!” Jesus shouted, but the City striker added: “What you talking about? Get the f*** away you f****** clown!”
Arsenal players will have been furious at Leandro Trossard’s red card as well as Haaland being very much at the heart of the action.
In addition to his goal, he was then seen throwing the ball at the back of Arsenal defender Gabriel’s head just seconds after Stones’ very late goal that secured a dramatic point.
Moments after play restarted from the Gunners’ kick-off, he ran into and barged Thomas Partey to the ground.
Arsenal players were furious but referee Michael Oliver only gave him a talking to before blowing the final whistle.
City spent much of the match chasing a draw having squandered their early lead, with Riccardo Calafiori spectacularly netting the visitors’ first.
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Gabriel then headed in from a corner to hand Arsenal the lead but they quickly fell to ten men in controversial circumstances.
Trossard was first booked for fouling Savinho before being shown a second yellow card for delaying the restart after he barged into Bernardo Silva.
Stones equalised in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage-time to cap off the drama and keep City top of the Premier League.
Referee Oliver has since been criticised for his performance, with two calls in particular coming under the spotlight.
He spoke to City captain Kyle Walker whilst Arsenal waited to take a free-kick but resumed play before the defender returned to his position, which led to Calafiori’s stunning goal.
Oliver’s decision to send off Trossard has been questioned too as Arsenal fans claim Jeremy Doku also delayed the restart in the first-half, although replays appear to show him kicking the ball back to where the free-kick should have been taken.
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The result has kept City at the top of the Premier League table on 13 points with four wins from five.
Arsenal also remain unbeaten but Sunday’s draw is their second of the campaign after the 1-1 with Brighton to have them fourth on 11 points.
The past two seasons saw City and Arsenal go toe-to-toe for the Premier League title, with the former winning on both occasions.
It looks set to be round three this time round and as it stands, the reigning champions are in control of the race.
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