Haaland’s Mischief and the Latest Chapter in the Arsenal Feud
Erling Haaland’s latest antics have once again brought the spotlight to his ongoing spat with Myles Lewis-Skelly, a feud that has been simmering since September. The tension reached a new peak when Lewis-Skelly was shown a red card during Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to West Ham on Saturday. The incident occurred when Lewis-Skelly committed a foul on Mohammed Kudus, initially receiving a yellow card but later upgraded to a red card after a VAR review. This dismissal not only affected the match but also seemed to fuel Haaland’s amusement, as he liked a post of West Ham fans mimicking his signature celebration, seemingly in mockery of Lewis-Skelly.
The Origins of the Feud
The roots of this feud can be traced back to Lewis-Skelly’s debut for Arsenal in September, when Haaland, in a moment of irritation, shouted, "Who the f*** are you?" This aggressive verbal jab set the tone for their interactions. Lewis-Skelly, not one to back down, retaliated by copying Haaland’s iconic meditation celebration during Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Manchester City earlier this month. The celebration, which involves Haaland crossing his legs and miming deep focus, is a staple of his post-goal rituals. Lewis-Skelly’s imitation was clearly a direct shot across Haaland’s bow, adding a new layer of tension to their already fraught relationship.
The Red Card and Its Impact
Lewis-Skelly’s red card against West Ham was a significant blow to Arsenal’s title aspirations. The foul on Kudus occurred on the halfway line, with Kudus having a clear path to goal and the West Ham defender, David Raya, well off his line. Lewis-Skelly’s reckless lunge led to the initial yellow card, but the VAR review deemed it a denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity, upgrading it to a red card. This incident marked the second time in four Premier League fixtures that the 18-year-old had been sent off, further tarnishing his already fragile reputation. The red card not only made Arsenal’s task of mounting a comeback more challenging but also dealt a psychological blow to the team, which is now under increased pressure in the title race.
Haaland’s Liked Post and the Social Media Frenzy
The social media reaction to Lewis-Skelly’s red card was swift and intense. West Ham fans, perhaps taking a cue from the earlier Arsenal-City match, began mimicking Haaland’s celebration outside the Emirates Stadium. Haaland, known for his playful and often mischievous nature, liked a post featuring these fans, which only added fuel to the fire. While he could have simply been acknowledging the fans who were paying homage to his celebration, the context of the imitation, coupled with the timing of Lewis-Skelly’s sending-off, made it impossible to ignore the underlying feud. This move by Haaland further stoked the rivalry and turned the situation into a social media spectacle.
Arsenal’s Retaliation and the Emotional Match
The emotions surrounding this feud were on full display during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City in September. After the match, Haaland told Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, to "stay humble," a comment that sparked a heated confrontation. The Arsenal players and fans were not about to let this slide. When the teams met again at the Emirates in early February, Haaland was met with boos and jeers from the crowd. During the match, Arsenal defender Gabriel laughed in Haaland’s face while celebrating Martin Odegaard’s early opener, a clear act of revenge after Haaland had thrown a ball at Gabriel’s head following John Stones’ late equalizer earlier in the season. At full time, Arsenal further taunted Haaland by playing Kendrick Lamar’s 2017 track "HUMBLE" over the stadium sound system, a direct reference to Haaland’s earlier remark to Arteta.
The Broader Implications for Arsenal and the Premier League Title Race
Haaland’s consistent performance and his ongoing feud with Arsenal have made him a central figure in the Premier League title race. Arsenal, who have not won the Premier League since 2004, have seen their chances significantly diminished following recent setbacks. Haaland’s presence and the emotional fallout from his interactions with the Arsenal players have added an extra layer of tension to an already competitive season. The Gunners have not only lost ground in the title race but have also faced a series of psychological defeats, which could have long-lasting effects on the team’s morale and performance. As the season progresses, the rivalry between Haaland and Arsenal is likely to remain a focal point, with each match between the two teams likely to be a spectacle of both skill and emotional intensity.
