Haaland: Arsenal Have Missed Out on the Title Before

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland pointed out that Arsenal has missed out on the title in previous seasons, after his goal on Sunday secured a crucial 2-1 victory over the Londoners.

The forward scored the winning goal in the second half, as City cut the Gunners' lead at the top of the Premier League to three points with a win at the Etihad. The Citizens also have a game in hand and now have the chance to displace the leaders with a victory against struggling Burnley on Wednesday. Haaland admitted that Arsenal is still the standout team of the campaign, but City is determined to chase them down and deny the Gunners their first Premier League title since 2004.

Asked if the Sky Blues had rattled Arsenal's championship ambitions, Haaland replied: “I don't know, you have to ask them. In recent seasons, they haven't succeeded. For now, they are first and they are still there, they are the best team of the season. I don't want to talk too much about them because they are an incredible team and we have to focus on ourselves. We know exactly what the situation is. We are still second, we play on Wednesday. There are a few of us who have been in a similar situation before, as well as many new players. It's about staying calm and thinking about what you can do. After the West Ham game, everyone was writing that it was over. That's how it felt. It's boring, but you have to focus game by game. Enjoy it, but now we have to start thinking about Burnley.”

Haaland was involved in one of the main talking points of the match when his battle with Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães heated up towards the end of the game. Both received yellow cards for their altercation, but the Brazilian was fortunate not to be sent off for headbutting the striker. “I think that's a red card. If I had fallen, it would have been a red card, but I would never do that. My father taught me this: 'Stay on your feet and don't be... - it starts with a 'P'. That's the reality. Maybe yes, I should have fallen, maybe it would have been easier, but I didn't fall and I got a yellow card for it. It's a fight. Many duels, many scratches. Sometimes my wife isn't so happy about it, it looks a bit wrong! But that's the reality,” he explained.

The Norwegian also compared captain Bernardo Silva to Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro. “Bernardo Cannavaro Silva… Man of the match! I remember he headed a cross clear, and then I told him: 'You were like f***ing Fabio Cannavaro!' Come on, we've all sworn our whole lives. Bernie, I won't get emotional, but he was great,” he addressed the Portuguese international.