Gabriel laughs in Erling Haaland’s face as he refuses to ‘stay humble’ after Arsenal score early against Man City

Arsenal defender Gabriel was spotted laughing in the face of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland after his side took an early lead in Sunday’s grudge match.

The Gunners went 1-0 up at the Emirates Stadium in only the second minute courtesy of Martin Odegaard‘s third goal of the season.

After seeing the ball hit the back of City’s net, Gabriel gleefully ran up the pitch to celebrate with his team-mates, pausing along the way to mock Haaland.

Sunday’s game was the first meeting between City and Arsenal since their bad-tempered 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium in September.

Gabriel and Haaland both scored in that game before clashing late on following a last-minute equaliser from John Stones. Haaland threw the ball at Gabriel’s head shortly after Stones had rescued a point for City in matchweek five.

City’s Norwegian frontman then famously told Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to ‘stay humble’ as both sets of players and staff faced off after the final whistle.

Arsenal defender Gabriel laughed in the face of Man City striker Erling Haaland on Sunday

Gabriel and Haaland met each other on Sunday for the first time since clashing in September

They famously squared up to each other after City and Arsenal drew 2-2 earlier in the season

Gabriel seemingly had no desire to stay humble after Odegaard’s early goal on Sunday, instead relishing the opportunity to celebrate as close to Haaland as possible.

Since Haaland told Arteta and his Arsenal team to stay humble, City’s form has dipped terribly.

City had won all of their opening four Premier League matches prior to that September stalemate with the Gunners.

Pep Guardiola‘s men then won just eight of their next 18 league games, losing six.