ETIHAD STADIUM, MANCHESTER — Erling Haaland is setting new standards in the Premier League and Manuel Akanji says his Manchester City teammate is unlike anything he has ever seen in football.
Haaland capped City’s rampant 4-1 win over Premier League title rivals Arsenal on Wednesday with a cool stoppage-time finish. Pep Guardiola’s side are now two points behind the Gunners but with two games in hand, with seven to play.
City are undefeated in 17 games across all competitions and with Arsenal now winless in their past four league matches, the direction of travel in terms of a fifth title in six seasons arriving at Etihad Stadium now seems to be set.
Haaland endured a frustrating evening in front of goal, forcing four saves from Aaron Ramsdale before finally beating the England international for his 33rd Premier League goal of the season. That breaks Mohamed Salah’s record for a 38-game campaign, while his 49th across all competitions in 2022/23 ties Clive Allen’s postwar English record from 1986/87.
But it was the Norway superstar’s all-round game that caught the eye on Wednesday as he frequently came deep to link attacks, dragging Arsenal centre-backs Rob Holding and Gabriel into uncomfortable areas, and laying on both of Kevin De Bruyne’s goals.