Erling Haaland Reacts to PSG vs Bayern Thriller With Possible Arsenal Swipe
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland praised the thrilling Champions League semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and FC Bayern Munich, which ended 5-4 in PSG’s favour.
Posting on Snapchat, Haaland appeared to hint at criticism of Arsenal F.C.'s defensive style as the Gunners chase Premier League and European success under Mikel Arteta.
In the closing stages of the 2025-26 season, Erling Haaland grabbed attention after reacting to the thrilling UEFA Champions League semi-final between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. The Norwegian striker shared a picture from the match on Snapchat with the caption “This is football,” shortly after PSG edged Bayern 5-4 in a dramatic contest. The post was seen by many as a subtle response to criticism often aimed at Arsenal F.C. for becoming more defensive under manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal’s tactical evolution has brought strong defensive stability, with many considering them one of Europe’s toughest sides to break down. However, critics continue to question whether their cautious style can deliver silverware. Despite this, Arsenal remain in a strong position, sitting at the top of the Premier League while also reaching the Champions League semi-finals.
Haaland recently played a major role in Manchester City’s title push, scoring the winning goal against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium before also netting in victories over Chelsea and Burnley. After those matches, he stressed that results matter more than style, saying the focus is purely on winning. Arsenal now prepares for a huge period, including a Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid and key domestic fixtures.