Stay Humble: Guardiola defends Erling Haaland as Manchester City renew rivalry with Arsenal
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has come to defend versatile striker Erling Haaland over ‘stay humble’ jibe at Arsenal as the two sides prepare to butt heads yet again.
Arsenal and Manchester City face each other earlier this season as the Gunners looked certain to give the defending Premier League champions their first defeat of the campaign. However, John Stones’ 98th-minute header gave City a 2-2 draw and Haaland then threw the ball at Gabriel Magalhaes’ head during the celebrations.
After the full-time whistle, Haaland then approached Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and told the Spaniard to ‘stay humble’
Since then Manchester City’s season has been going wrong as they sit fourth in the Premier League standings, however, Guardiola continues to defend the Norwegian’s words and has claimed that Gabriel’s style of defending caused the outburst.
Speaking to the media, Guardiola said: “For Erling it’s not easy. Arsenal is a physical team, in a good way, in many aspects.
“For 90 minutes, the central defender, Gabriel, pushed him, hacked him, hugged him and kissed him. The Premier League is that way.
“You have to stand up and defend your position. And now I am being asked to adjudicate on what Erling has done? I don’t buy it.
“The end of the game was so emotional. In the end, a human being has to react.”
The Norwegian is known for staying calm despite being constantly physically harangued by defenders in the Premier League and Guardiola also went on to praise the striker: “I’m surprised how he controls his emotions. In every action, he’s being pulled and the referee plays on. How many times does it happen? And he never complains. He behaves incredibly well.”
Haaland will be in action next when Manchester City travel to London to take on Arsenal on Sunday, February 2.
As Manchester City prepares to renew their rivalry with Arsenal, manager Pep Guardiola has come to the defense of his star striker, Erling Haaland, emphasizing the importance of humility and discipline in the face of criticism and intense competition.
Haaland, who has been a pivotal figure for City since his arrival, has faced scrutiny over various aspects of his game, including his physicality and temperament on the field. In a recent discussion, Guardiola highlighted Haaland’s commendable self-control, especially given the physical challenges posed by Premier League defenders. He noted that despite the aggressive tactics often employed against him, Haaland maintains his composure and rarely complains. Guardiola pointed out that Haaland has received only two bookings in 32 appearances, underscoring his disciplined approach to the game.
This praise comes in the context of past incidents where emotions have run high during matches against Arsenal. In a previous encounter, Haaland was involved in a heated exchange with Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães, which led to a post-match confrontation. Guardiola, while acknowledging the incident, chose not to delve into specifics, stating, “I know what happened but I won’t say anything.”
Beyond individual incidents, Haaland has also faced criticism from pundits regarding his playing style. Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane likened aspects of Haaland’s play to that of a “League Two player,” despite acknowledging his goal-scoring prowess. Guardiola firmly disagreed with this assessment, labeling Haaland as the “best striker in the world” and emphasizing his significant contributions to City’s successes. He remarked, “The reason we don’t create chances is not because of Erling. The standards that Erling has are unbelievable and everyone expects other things.”
Guardiola’s defense of Haaland underscores a broader message about the importance of humility and collective responsibility within the team. He emphasized that football is a team sport, and the creation of goal-scoring opportunities is a shared responsibility. Guardiola stated, “We needed more presence in the box. If we had that Erling would have more space. It happens sometimes. If you want to score goals, bring a lot of players to the opponent keeper, it is as simple as that.”
As City prepares to face Arsenal again, Guardiola’s focus remains on maintaining discipline, humility, and a collective approach to the game. He acknowledges the challenges posed by a formidable opponent but believes in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion. Reflecting on a previous dramatic draw with Arsenal, Guardiola praised his team’s honesty and resilience, stating, “We are an honest team. We try to do our best.”
In conclusion, Guardiola’s defense of Haaland serves as a reminder of the values that underpin Manchester City’s approach to football: humility, discipline, and teamwork. As the rivalry with Arsenal continues, these principles will be crucial in navigating the challenges ahead and striving for success on the pitch.
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