Key Takeaways
- Erling Haaland says he feels calm before Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal.
- Manchester City trail the Gunners by six points but have a game in hand.
- Haaland has scored only once in his last five league matches.
Erling Haaland insists he is relaxed ahead of Manchester City’s meeting with Arsenal on Sunday, claiming the chasing champions are free of pressure.
City sit six points behind the league leaders with one match in hand, meaning victory at Etihad Stadium would swing the momentum in their favour. Haaland, who has found the net just once in his previous five Premier League games, says the deficit eases the burden on his side.
“We have hunted Arsenal all season, so the pressure is on them,” the Norway striker told reporters at City’s training base. “From our side, we can only gain.”
The 25-year-old praised Arsenal’s centre-back pairing of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba, who kept him quiet in the 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium earlier this campaign. “They surround me with bodies, but that challenge is what you want as a striker,” he added.
Haaland also underlined the importance of the run-in, labelling each remaining fixture a “cup final” after Arsenal’s shock loss to Bournemouth last weekend opened the door for City. “Every match is sudden death now,” he said.
Off the pitch, Haaland has embraced a senior role in the squad, recently urging fans to applaud young defender Abdukodir Khusanov. “I know how tough it is to move country and learn a new language. If my experience can help, I’ll give it,” he explained.
Kick-off on Sunday is 4:30 p.m. Kenyan time, live on Sky Sports.