Man City vs Arsenal flashpoint brings Lisandro Martinez Man United controversy back into focus

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Erling Haaland and Gabriel brought back into focus the red card Lisandro Martinez received for Manchester United against Leeds United

Gabriel Magalhaes appeared to pull Erling Haaland's hair during Manchester City's win over Arsenal.

Footage from one of their flashpoints seemingly showed the Brazil international grabbing hold of his opponent's man bun as he clambered over the City striker after they both contested for a header. Gabriel had his left hand on Haaland's shoulder while jumping and held on before the pair began to lose their balance.

While falling to his right, the defender's hand came away from the Norwegian's shoulder and looked to cling onto his rival's hair. That additional contact dragged Haaland down and pulled his bun off.

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The incident is similar to when Lisandro Martinez saw red against Leeds United after doing something comparable to Dominic Calvert-Lewin during the defeat at Old Trafford. The United defender was sent off by Paul Tierney after a video assistant referee review from John Brooks.

Gabriel, meanwhile, did not even receive a caution. Dango Ouattara of Brentford also appeared to pull Calvin Bassey's hair while challenging the Fulham player.

After shoving the Nigeria international with his left forearm, Ouattara's hand raised up towards Bassey's braids and seemed to make contact with them. However, his opponent did not complain after the incident.

Dermot Gallagher agreed with the decision not to send off the Brentford forward. The former Premier League referee said on Sky Sports News during Ref Watch: "Play on, no conclusive evidence that he's done it.

He also spoke more generally about hair-pulling after all these recent instances. Gallagher said: "It falls under violent conduct because it's got to fall under something, but it's a very personal offence, isn't it?

"But let's be clear about this, in that situation, there is no conclusive evidence that Dango pulled his hair, so we don't want referees chucking red cards about on a maybe."

Jay Bothroyd made the comparison to Martinez one week on. The player-turned-pundit said: "He has touched his hair, for me there, I don't think he's done it intentionally, that's for sure.

"I think that will come under the realm of Martinez. I don't think Martinez has pulled his hair intentionally.

"I think there's going to be contact with his hair, you know, players will say, I think Calvert-Lewin did say, 'I felt it', but I don't think it was intentional." Bothroyd also added: "I don't think Martinez pulled the player's hair; I just think his hand got tangled in it."