Erling Haaland praised after explaining why he didn't try to get Gabriel sent off

Erling Haaland has been applauded by fans for revealing he chose not to try and get Gabriel sent off during Man City v Arsenal.

On Sunday afternoon Arsenal suffered what could be the most damaging result of the season as they lost 2-1 to Premier League title rivals Man City at the Etihad.

The result leaves Pep Guardiola's side just three points behind the league leaders with a game in hand against Burnley to be played on Wednesday (April 22).

City's Rayan Cherki and Haaland found the back of the net for the home side, while Kai Havertz scored a bizarre goal to make the scoreline 1-1 in the first half.

However, perhaps the most controversial moment in the game wasn't one of the goals, but instead the fiery confrontation with Arsenal defender Gabriel during the match.

The pair, who have come to blows on several occasions during their careers, were spotted having a hated conversation before Gabriel moving his head towards the City striker in an aggressive manner, with many believing he should have been sent off.

But, speaking post-match Haaland admitted that he chose not to go down to the ground and exaggerate the contact, despite the fact it likely would have resulted in Gabriel seeing a red card.

Speaking on Viaplay, he said: "He (referee) said it was both. If I went to the floor it would have been a red card, that is not football.”

Gabriel and Haaland clashed on several occasions during the match. (Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

When asked by Peter Schmeichel if Haaland had done something to provoke Gabriel, explaining the interaction, the City striker replied: "No, I didn't, I will never do this...ok maybe sometimes.

"No I didn't do anything. In the end, let's be real, he's an amazing player and it's always a nice battle.

"But I think sometimes in the Premier League it's maybe a bit too much."

Reacting to the interview clip, one fan wrote on X: "Imagine dunking on them and still propping him too. What a man Haaland is. Absolute class."

While another claimed: "This is why city are going to win a title and Arsenal won’t. City players love the game and play it the right way."

Premier League Match Centre releases official statement explaining why Gabriel didn't receive a red card

Following the match, many fans and pundits have expressed outrage online over the decision not to send Gabriel off for the moment, drawing comparisons to similar incidents in other matches.

Many believed that Gabriel was clearly trying to headbutt his opponent following their tussle ahead of Haaland's goal earlier in the match, something that would of course lead to a straight red for violent conduct.

However, the Premier League Match Centre later released a statement confirming that, following a check from VAR, Gabriel's head movement was not viewed as being dangerous or violent and therefore he was allowed to stay on the pitch.

The statement read: "The referee’s call of no red card was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the action from Gabriel deemed not to be excessively aggressive or violent."