Pep Guardiola accepts Erling Haaland's emotions may have got the better of him in Manchester City's heated clash with Arsenal last September.
But the City manager, who takes his side to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday (8:30pm UAE), insists it was a rare lapse from a player who continually rises above persistent attempts by opponents to unsettle him.
City striker Haaland was involved in a long-running battle with Gunners defender Gabriel in the 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium and tensions boiled over after John Stones' stoppage-time equaliser.
Haaland threw the ball at Gabriel's head and there were further angry scenes after the final whistle. The Norwegian told Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to “stay humble” amid the fiery exchanges.
“I'm surprised how he controls his emotions,” said Guardiola. “Do you know that in every action he's being pulled and the referee plays on? How many times has it happened? He's never complained. He behaves incredibly well.
“When he pushes, it's his fault – that's for sure, 100 per cent – but he controls himself. He got emotional one time. For one day, I'm going to adjudicate what Erling has done? No, come on.
“It was not easy when you're (playing) 90 minutes then Gabriel, the central defender, pushes him, hugs him and hacks him and hugs him and kisses him and these things. At the end, he's a human being, he has to react.
“We cannot blame Erling. It's the defender that pushed Erling. All central defenders in the Premier League go against him. You know it's going to happen.
“Arsenal are a physical team – in a good way in many aspects – but at the end, what happened at the end for the emotions, happened. It's absolutely done.”
Haaland opened the scoring for City in the September meeting but Arsenal hit back to lead and looked like holding on, despite playing the second half with 10 men, until Stones had the final say late on.
City were frustrated by Arsenal's perceived negative tactics – or so-called dark arts – throughout the second period.
“Listen, I never use that word (dark arts) in the media,” said Guardiola. “Everyone can do whatever they want in their team. There is a referee who has to intervene when it's not fair.
“Of course, I do whatever I want with my team but I think we are an incredible, incredible, fair-play team. Sometimes too much.
“But this is where it is. They had success in that way. We continue.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arteta has shut down wild conspiracy theories that his side’s matches are being manipulated by bias referees – but defended his right to criticise decisions he does not agree with.
Referee Michael Oliver, who last weekend controversially sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly in Arsenal’s win at Wolves – a decision which has since been overturned by the Football Association – has not been selected to take charge of the Gunners’ Premier League clash against City.
Oliver, regarded as one of the best officials in the Premier League, has faced death threats and abuse since the match at Molineux, and was tasked with officiating Ipswich’s 2-1 defeat against Southampton instead of being thrust back into the spotlight at the Emirates.
Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville this week accused Arsenal of “inflaming the situation” when it comes to certain refereeing decisions, with some fans having claimed corruption against their side.
But when asked if he is satisfied Arsenal are being refereed in the same way as every other team, Arteta replied: “For sure, and we all have to respect that.
“But that doesn’t mean that we don’t have to defend our position or give our views in a respectful way which is what we do, through the right channels, and the right communication with the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) or someone individual or the Premier League and that will continue to go on.
“A lot of times that communication has been there to give very positive feedback and about things that we can change to make it better and that has happened. It is always very constructive what we are trying to achieve here.”
Arteta insisted his mind will be fully focused on Sunday’s mouth-watering clash against City.
The rivalry between the two clubs has escalated, with the Gunners coming closest to dethroning Pep Guardiola’s side for the past two seasons.
The last meeting between Arsenal and City in September reached boiling point. However, Arteta insisted he has no grievances, saying: “I really hope they do (forget about it) because holding anything negative emotionally doesn’t help.
“It’s part of the competition, it’s part of the game and let’s leave it there and let’s play a good football match which is what people want to watch.”
