Pep Guardiola calls for Erling Haaland to receive more protection from referees

Pep Guardiola has called on Erling Haaland to receive more protection from referees.

The Manchester City striker renews his rivalry with Arsenal centre back Gabriel for the first time on Sunday since the Norwegian threw a ball at his opponent's head during a stormy 2-2 draw between the teams in September.

Instead of criticising his man's reaction, Guardiola admitted he is impressed by how Haaland usually keeps his cool amid considerable provocation.

'It's the defenders who create the problems with Erling,' said the City boss. 'They push him, he doesn't push them. It's not easy when you have 90 minutes and Gabriel and the defenders push and hug and kiss him.

'At the end, he had to react. Arsenal is a physical team, in a good way in many aspects, and at the end emotions happened. We cannot worry about Erling's discipline. I'm surprised how he can control his emotions because every action he's pulled and the referee is always "play on". He never complains.

'I know my players and how they behave properly. The referee has to intervene when it's not fair. That's why he's the referee.'

The last contest produced seven yellow cards and a sending off for Arsenal's Leandro Trossard. An angry confrontation between the two sets of players followed at the final whistle in which Haaland told Arteta to 'stay humble'.

Arsenal are still contenders in this year's title race, but City's main ambition is now qualifying for the Champions League after a dreadful autumn.

And playmaker Kevin De Bruyne believes new City signing Omar Marmoush's mobility up front will be a big influence on the second part of the season.

'Omar showed his qualities. It is something we maybe lacked a bit, somebody running in behind who can play multiple positions,' said the Belgian.