Erling Haaland has claimed Arsenal's Gabriel was fortunate to escape a red card following the pair's contentious confrontation at the Etihad. City secured what could prove to be a pivotal 2-1 victory on Sunday.
The win sees Pep Guardiola's side cut Arsenal's lead at the summit of the Premier League to just three points, with a game in hand. Haaland was once again amongst the goals against the North London side.
Beyond his strike, Haaland found himself at the center of one of the game's key flashpoints as he came face-to-face with Arsenal defender Gabriel. The Brazilian appeared to thrust his forehead forward, yet neither VAR nor the referee considered the incident worthy of a dismissal, with both players receiving a caution.
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When quizzed about the confrontation, Haaland suggested the defender could have been sent off had he been rather more theatrical. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said, via The Mirror: "I think it's always like this. A lot of fighting and these kind of things.
"That's others to decide if I won that battle. Of course, I scored the goal. I won that battle in the decisive moment, the cross was perfect. It was a great goal. In the end, we win."
He added: "If I fell on the floor there, which I will not do unless someone really attacks me, then it would maybe be red card. I'm not sure, I haven't seen the situation. It is what it is, I will not fall on the floor. For me I don't know why he comes up to my face."
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville was among those stunned that Gabriel was not sent off.
Commenting during the broadcast, he said: "Now why did you do that, Gabriel? You can put your heads against each other, I got done in a game a long time ago, the moment you throw it forward you get a red. I can't believe that's not a red to be honest."
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean added: "They have gone head to head, it's not excessive force by Gabriel, the way the game has gone with them two, I'd say a yellow card is just right, but I wouldn't have been surprised if Gabriel had been sent off.
"Just looking at it again, Gabriel is very lucky not to be sent off. I think he's very lucky, very lucky indeed."