Pundit Steve Nicol believes that in-form striker Erling Haaland could be the difference-maker for Manchester City in their league clash against fierce rivals Arsenal.
Both sides played out a 0-0 draw against their respective Champions League opponents. They now need a win to keep up their momentum in the Premier League.
Haaland’s all-round play has been a talking point this campaign. The 24-year-old has stepped up in sensational fashion, scoring nine goals in four league games. Even the Gunners have found the net six times.
The Arsenal attackers haven’t had a similar influence, with Kai Havertz being their leading goalscorer with two goals. Nicol believes that the Norwegian striker could again prove to be decisive in one of the most thrilling matches of the season.
Can Arsenal repeat last season’s success against Haaland?
Speaking to ESPN FC’s Youtube channel, he said:
“Unfortunately, the talent they have going forward, they can’t score goals right now.”
“Havertz has got two in four, Saka’s got one, Trossard’s got one, Martinelli doesn’t have any so if you’re going to play a counterattacking game and your forwards are firing blanks pretty much, that’s a tough ask, particularly at City and City’s got Erling Haaland who I think is a difference.”
“Again there are other players the peripheral strikers aren’t particularly on the ball either but Haaland is and he’s going to be the difference.”
Arsenal have to keep an eye on the striker since he will be a real threat for their defence. However, Mikel Arteta’s side have conceded just one goal this season compared to City’s three.
It will be a tough task for the Norwegian to find the back of the net against defensive warriors William Saliba and Gabriel Maghalaes.
Haaland has scored two goals and provided two assists in six games against the Gunners. All of those contributions came in the 2022–23 season.
🤯 Erling Haaland has already achieved 33.3% of his @PremierLeague goals total from last season…we just finished Gameweek 4. 🥶🤖 pic.twitter.com/4Kh2UMk9Sf
— City Chief (@City_Chief) September 14, 2024
However, the Man City ace didn’t provide a single goal or an assist in their three matches vs. the North London outfit in the 2023-24 PL season.
The No. 9 was starved of chances by Arsenal’s centre-back duo, with the visitors tasting success on both occasions—a win (home) and a draw (away).
He was substituted in the 64th minute in their recent Community Shield win over Arteta’s men. It will be interesting to see whether Haaland can overcome the opponent’s strong defensive wall on Sunday.
