Ian Wright Slams Haaland's "Coward's Move" in Arsenal Draw

Ian Wright labeled Erling Haaland’s actions during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal as a “coward’s move.” The controversy flared up after John Stones scored City’s late equalizer. Haaland retrieving the ball from the net, threw it at the back of Arsenal defender Gabriel, who had his shirt over his head in frustration and was facing the other way. Wright condemned Haaland’s behavior, calling it disrespectful.

VAR reviewed the incident but didn’t deem it serious enough for a red card. The Football Association also decided not to take further action. Additionally, they ignored a heated exchange between players at the final whistle deciding it didn’t warrant punishment. Ian Wright expressed his frustration in an Instagram video, saying, “What boiled me up properly was Haaland’s coward’s move throwing the ball at Gabi’s head when he wasn’t looking.

That’s what bothered me more than anything.” The match itself created plenty of tension. Haaland opened the scoring for City but Arsenal responded with goals from Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori. Leandro Trossard’s red card just before halftime reduced Arsenal to 10 men, yet Mikel Arteta’s side defended resolutely. City applied intense pressure in the second half.

Stones finally scored the equalizer in the eighth minute of added time. City piled on the pressure in the second half and Stones eventually scored the equalizer in the eighth minute of added time.  The draw keeps Manchester City one point clear at the top of the Premier League table while Arsenal sits two points behind in fourth. Although the game ended in a draw, Haaland’s controversial moment became one of the main talking points.