Mikel Arteta warns against gloating after rampant Arsenal humble Manchester City

Mikel Arteta warned Arsenal to focus on themselves after they ruthlessly dismantled Manchester City 5-1 and rubbed it in the face of Erling Haaland in the process.

The Gunners scored four times in an outstanding second-half display at the Emirates to inflict more pain on Pep Guardiola’s fragile Premier League champions.

Haaland’s actions in the 2-2 draw between the clubs in September dominated the pre-match discourse, with the Norwegian throwing a ball at Gabriel Magalhaes’ head following John Stones’ stoppage-time leveller, while he also told Arteta to “stay humble” during fiery full-time scenes.

A dose of humble pie was served to Haaland in north London with Gabriel shouting in the face of the City striker after Martin Odegaard’s early opener before Arsenal full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly copied the Norwegian’s celebration after he made it 3-1.

City folded following Haaland’s 55th-minute equaliser with Thomas Partey, Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri on target to move the Gunners six points behind leaders Liverpool, but Arteta let slip a tinge of disappointment.

“I don’t know, I haven’t seen that and there’s nothing that I want to discuss about that,” Arteta said when quizzed about Lewis-Skelly’s celebration.

“Down to the players, but they know my view on it and we have to focus on us.

“We have to focus on us and leave anything that happens. It’s part of the game on the pitch. Whatever happens there, I think we’ve been in football a long time, just leave it, there’s nothing there to do.”

That was the only gripe Arteta could really have with his players after a memorable day, which started in perfect fashion when Odegaard slotted home to punish Manuel Akanji’s mistake at the back.

Arsenal squandered further