How Did Gabriel and Arteta React Following Arsenal’s Draw With Manchester City?

As Manchester City hosted title rivals Arsenal on Sunday, fans expected a game filled with passion and desire that really summed up the budding rivalry the two teams have been building since 2022, we got that and more.

The game was full of twists and turns, we saw a defender score a screamer, a dismissal, and a last gasp equaliser. What’s been on my mind however, mostly due to the tension at the end of the fixture, is how the Arsenal players and staff feel about the match.

What Did Mikel Arteta Say After the Game?

Arsenal boss and former Manchester City coach, Mikel Arteta, would have been very pleased with the result should John Stones not have bundled in an equaliser in the last moments. His side showed incredible resoluteness for a 45 minute defensive stand-off following Leandro Trossard’s dismissal, and were unfortunate to concede in the final stages.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Spaniard said: “I am extremely proud. The desire the team have to compete in any context, to win, to adapt to different circumstances, different competitions, different ways of playing, and handle that emotionally and physically in the way we have done is superb.

"Happy? No, because we wanted to win the game. But understanding how tough that context is and how difficult it is and the things we have to deal with. And not only that but issues as well with the amount of players we had out.

"I think it's a significant improvement and we have to be proud of that, but not happy because we want to win."

🔴⚪️ Arteta: "I'm extremely proud of what we did at the Etihad".

"We show desire, we adapt to different ways of playing, that's superb".

"Happy? No, we wanted to win. But it was difficult, then what we had to deal with and as well with the players we had out... I'm proud". pic.twitter.com/VoDYY22y1s

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 24, 2024

Arteta also told Sky Sports that it would be “weeks” before either Martin Odegaard or Oleksander Zinchenko will be available to return to action for the gunners.

How Did Gabriel React to the Match?

Arsenal and Brazil defender Gabriel was a key figure in the game. He scored his second Premier League goal of the season from a Bukayo Saka corner, which flipped the game in Arsenal’s favour.

The Brazilian was also involved in some of the antics outside of football, after Haaland launched a ball at his head during the celebrations for Stones’ goal, as well as squaring up to the Norwegian after the restart.

Speaking to John Cross for The Mirror, specifically about the off-the-ball antics, Gabriel said: “I don’t even remember this.

“It’s normal, they were happy after scoring in the last minute. They were playing at home, so their duty was to win the match, but our team did really well to resist."

Gabriel then upped the ante for the next meeting of the sides, saying: “It’s a battle, a war, so it’s normal to have provocative acts in football, it’s part of the game.

"Now this is over and we are waiting for them at our ground.”

🔴⚪️🇧🇷 Gabriel Magalhães: “We are waiting for Man City at our ground”.

“Haaland? I don’t remember what he did. It’s normal. But anyway, congratulations”.

“Battle, war, provocation is normal and it's also part of the game”.

“It’s over now…”, says via @johncrossmirror. pic.twitter.com/T6j4uf1jSy

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 23, 2024