Mikel Arteta admits defensive powerhouse Gabriel relishing chance to face in-form Erling Haaland again in early title clash

Gabriel and Haaland have already provided plenty of fireworks in previous meetings, with tempers flaring in both encounters last season. The pair will now renew hostilities as Arsenal welcome Manchester City in what could prove a key early marker in the title race. Haaland, fresh off seven goals in a week for club and country, is expected to be the main threat once again, and Arteta believes that Gabriel is relishing to chance to face off with the Norwegian.

“It’s his qualities,” Arteta said of Gabriel. “One of them is that he can get up to anybody in the world. He’s someone that really enjoys the defensive part, the contact, the physicality. When the game has to get to that part, he enjoys it. That’s a big quality to have and it’s very needed with someone like him [Haaland] as well, who is so physical. You need to have those qualities to be efficient. I think it’s efficiency, the word that you want to use with defenders. In relation to the quality of your opponent, how you’re going to adapt your qualities to resolve a lot of situations. If you don’t have to have any contact and it’s not needed, even better. But Gabi has both, I think.”

Haaland’s explosive return to form makes him the biggest obstacle to Arsenal’s title hopes this weekend. The Norwegian has five goals in four league matches and looks sharper than ever, with Pep Guardiola even suggesting he is at a new peak. For Arsenal, Gabriel’s battle with Haaland could define the contest at the Emirates and send an early signal of their credentials.

Arsenal and Manchester City face off in what already feels like a six-pointer. Victory for either side would be a significant boost in the early stages of the title race. All eyes will be on Gabriel and Haaland as they collide once again in one of the league’s fiercest individual duels.