Article body analysed

Gabriel has warned Manchester City’s players that Arsenal will be 'waiting' for their rematch in February. Title foes for the last two seasons, the two clubs went head-to-head in a 2-2 draw on Sunday - and to say tensions flared would be an understatement. It felt as though the rivalry really came to a head at the Etihad, and Erling Haaland summed up the mood between the sides when he threw the ball at Gabriel’s head after Man City’s last-ditch equaliser. Now, the Gunners defender has warned: “We are waiting for them at our ground. ” The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviewed Haaland's controversial act but decided no action was necessary as it did not warrant a red card. Gabriel had his shirt pulled over his head in frustration at the time, and did not appear to react to his fellow goalscorer Haaland’s move in the moment. However, he has since insisted incidents like that are normal in football - but stoked the flames of their rivalry, too. He said:   "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 ground. " Arsenal legend Ian Wright wasn’t so accepting of Haaland’s move, though. He labelled the Norwegian striker throwing the ball a ‘coward’s move’. “But you know what really boiled me up properly? Haaland’s coward's move, " Wright said. “I saw it this morning properly, throwing the ball at Gabi’s head when he’s not looking, when his back’s turned to him. “What a real coward's move. Gabi would look you in the eye. “I’m looking at this as a really good defender versus striker for years to come, I love watching them two, and then you’re doing a coward’s move like that. “Nah man, that’s what bothers me more than everything else, I thought you were bigger than that bro, I thought you were bigger than that. ” Gabriel and Haaland were seen rowing with each other at the final whistle, with Arsenal debutante, 17-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, stepping in between the two. Man City’s talisman appeared to then ask the youngster ‘who the f*** are you? ’ Haaland was caught on camera telling Arteta to ‘stay humble’, too, but the Spaniard had a cold response. He also slammed into Arsenal's Thomas Partey after running into him in the centre circle before the restart after City brought it back to 2-2. Despite the post-match scenes, the Football Association (FA) confirmed no retrospective action would be taken. The sides will face each other again at the Emirates on February 1. This service is provided on talk SPORT Ltd's Terms of Use in accordance with our Privacy Policy.