Erling Haaland’s Father Told to ‘Return to His Place’ After Mocking Arsenal’s Trophy Drought

Alan Smith has delivered a scathing rebuke to Erling Haaland’s father, Alfie Haaland, instructing him to “cease vicariously experiencing life through his son” after his recent comments mocking Arsenal’s lack of trophies. The former Arsenal star did not hold back in criticizing the ex-Manchester City player, whose remarks have ignited controversy among fans and pundits alike.

The heated exchange stems from Manchester City’s challenging encounter with Arsenal last Sunday. Haaland endured a frustrating evening as Arsenal’s defense, led by Gabriel Magalhães, effectively neutralized him. Arsenal fans were equally relentless, taunting the Norwegian striker throughout the match. Gabriel, in particular, was seen laughing at Haaland after Martin Ødegaard opened the scoring, setting the tone for what became an emotionally charged affair.

As tensions simmered, young Arsenal talent Myles Lewis-Skelly seized the opportunity to mock Haaland by performing his trademark “zen” celebration. The teenager’s gesture was met with roars of approval from the Emirates crowd, adding another layer of humiliation to City’s woes. The atmosphere inside the stadium became even more electrifying when Arsenal’s stadium DJ played Kendrick Lamar’s song Humble—a pointed reference to Haaland’s past comments telling Mikel Arteta to “stay humble” after Arsenal salvaged a 2-2 draw at the Etihad in September.

The post-match drama escalated when Arsenal’s official X (formerly Twitter) account joined in on the mockery. They posted an image of 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri celebrating, captioned simply: “This Team”. The message quickly gained traction, with Arsenal fans reveling in their team’s victory over the reigning champions. It was a statement of intent, reinforcing their belief that they are genuine title contenders.

However, the celebrations did not sit well with Alfie Haaland. The former City player, who represented the club from 2000 to 2003, sarcastically responded to Arsenal’s post with: “This Team that wins everything. Indeed, no.” His remark was a clear dig at Arsenal’s prolonged wait for a Premier League title, with their last triumph dating back to 2004. The comment ignited debate, with rival fans seizing the opportunity to ridicule Arsenal’s trophy cabinet in recent years.

Alan Smith, though, was quick to fire back. The Arsenal legend took exception to Haaland Sr.’s remarks, asserting that it was inappropriate for him to live vicariously through his son’s success. Smith pointed out that Alfie’s career—though respectable—never reached the heights of his son’s, and that constantly inserting himself into Erling’s narrative was unbecoming.

“Erling Haaland is a phenomenal player who will write his own history,” Smith said. “His father needs to recognize that and stop behaving like a bitter ex-player trying to settle old scores. Arsenal are a top team again, and his comments reek of insecurity.”

Smith’s words resonated with many Arsenal supporters, who viewed Alfie Haaland’s comments as unnecessary and disrespectful. They also highlighted the long-standing rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester City, which has intensified in recent seasons as both teams compete at the highest level.

Despite the social media storm, Arsenal’s players and staff have remained focused on their ambitions. Arteta, when asked about the incident, downplayed the controversy, stating that his team was only concerned with improving and winning matches. However, the Spaniard couldn’t hide a smirk when reminded of the Humble song selection post-match.

For Manchester City, the defeat at the Emirates was a stark reminder that their path to another league title will not be straightforward. With Arsenal and Liverpool breathing down their necks, Guardiola’s side cannot afford to let external distractions, such as online debates, affect their focus.

Haaland himself has yet to respond to the controversy. Known for his intense competitive spirit, the striker will likely be eager to let his football do the talking in the coming fixtures. With crucial matches ahead, City will be counting on their star forward to regain his form and silence his critics on the pitch.

As the Premier League title race heats up, the psychological battle off the field appears just as intense as the action on it. Arsenal’s triumph over City was more than just three points—it was a statement of intent, a declaration that they are no longer the underdogs in this rivalry.

Meanwhile, Alfie Haaland’s comments have once again highlighted the scrutiny that comes with being a superstar in modern football. While his son continues to break records and win trophies, his own words risk overshadowing the incredible career Erling is carving out for himself.

Only time will tell whether this incident will fuel Manchester City’s response or further galvanize Arsenal’s belief that they can finally end their two-decade wait for a league title. But one thing is certain: the rivalry between these two clubs is more intense than ever.