Tempers flared when Manchester City and Arsenal clashed in Septenber before Erling Haaland told Mikel Arteta to "stay humble". The Gunners, down to ten men after a controversial sending-off in the first-half, had just conceded a goal deep into stoppage time which denied them a statement win. Instead the clash ended 2-2 with John Stones bundling in an equaliser for City. Haaland, clearly fired up, appeared to taunt the Gunners defenders before things boiled over after the final whistle. The Norwegian's dig towards Arteta sparked a confrontation with former City striker Gabriel Jesus, who leapt to the defence of his manager.

After some verbals Jesus said "don't touch me", before Haaland replied: "What you talking about? Get the **** away, you ******* clown". At that point City were firm title contenders as they eyed a fifth Premier League title on the bounce. Haaland also had an impressive record against Arsenal. He scored in that 2-2 draw which was his third goal in five games against the north Londoners. When Haaland told Arteta to stay humble he had the upper hand. The Norwegian was a two-time title winner, a treble winner, a successive Golden Boot winner. The Arsenal boss meanwhile was continually thwarted by City's relentlessness. Since that Sunday at the Etihad though Haaland's form has fallen off a cliff. As has City's. Guardiola has confessed the title is now beyond them with the Norwegian enduring an uncharacteristic lull in front of goal.

After scoring against Arsenal he went on to notched just three times in his next 13 games. His goal against Brighton came in a losing cause. His strike against Crystal Palace came as City dropped more points in a 2-2 stalemate. Since the turn of the year Haaland has scored five times in as many games, which is more like the form he's showed over the past two seasons. Back in December Guardiola was forced to defend Haaland's poor strike rate, instead claiming the team needed to do more for the Norwegian. He said: "It's about us, it's not just about one player. When Erling was so prolific, it was about us, the team. Erling is so important for us and will be so important for us.

"We need to use him better. The reason why is this one and this one and this one. It is about us, about everyone. The guys are running more than ever. Many little details and big details make us not as good as we were.". It is only Haaland's stellar early season form that still has him in the hunt for the Golden Boot. He scored ten times in his first five games, which included two hat-tricks. That has the City man sat on 18 goals - one less than Mohamed Salah - with Arsenal his next opportunity to add to that tally as the rivalry renews.

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