Erling Haaland ramps up Arsenal mind games as he highlights Man City's advantage

View 2 Images

Erling Haaland has ramped up the mind games with Arsenal after reminding them of their recent failures to win the title.

Haaland scored the winner to seal a seismic 2-1 triumph for Manchester City over Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday. It means City are now just three points behind Mikel Arteta ’s league leaders with a game in hand.

City can replace Arsenal at the top of the table on goal difference, if they beat Burnley by two goals of more on Wednesday night. Bookies have made Pep Guardiola ’s men the new favourites to go on and become champions again.

Arsenal have finished runners up in the last three seasons. And Haaland has been quick to remind his bitter rivals of this fact.

When asked if City were living in Arsenal’s heads, he said: “I don’t know. You need to ask them.

"The last seasons they’ve come up short. (But) I don’t want to speak too much about them, because they are an amazing team and we should focus on ourselves."

While Arsenal have not won a title in more than two decades, City have been crowned the kings of English football four times in the last five seasons.

Arsenal have now lost back-to-back league games, including their previous defeat to Bournemouth at home. And Haaland admits the the proven winners in City's squad could give them the advantage in the final weeks of the season.

View 2 Images

He added: "Honestly, what we have to do is focus on ourselves. We cannot think too much about Arsenal.

"Of course you watch the game against Bournemouth. The whole of England watched this game. We know exactly the situation.

"We’re still second, we play on Wednesday. We’re calm. There are a few of us who have been in this situation before. It’s about staying calm and thinking about what you can do."