SUMMARY
- Erling Haaland put in a disappointing performance during Manchester City's goalless draw against Arsenal.
- Haaland was heavily criticized by former Manchester United skipper Roy Keane for his performances.
Former Manchester United star Roy Keane has launched a scathing criticism against Erling Haaland after Manchester City’s clash against Arsenal yesterday. In what was a crucial Premier League encounter, City and Arsenal’s game ended without any goals from either side. However, after the match ended, Haaland was called out by Roy Keane for his poor performance.
In what was a rather uneventful game, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal struggled to score a goal. Both sides adopted a rather cautious approach, with both teams playing with a low-block defense. Despite City dominating possession, the defending Premier League champions could muster only a single shot on target.
It was a tough game for Erling Haaland as well, who barely had an impact on the game. Arsenal’s center-back duo of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba did an excellent job of containing the City striker. Following the match, former Manchester United skipper Roy Keane severely criticized Haaland’s performances. Keane said, “The level of his general play is so poor – and not just today.”
Roy Keane has labelled Erling Haaland’s general play as ‘League Two’ standard 😬
🗣️ “In front of goal he’s the best in the world but his general play, for such a player, is so poor. And I don’t just mean today.
🗣️ “He’s almost like a League Two player.” pic.twitter.com/wxDohCOf0Q
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) April 1, 2024
Keane pointed out that while Haaland is a predator in front of the goal, the level of his general playmaking abilities belongs to League Two. Interestingly, Haaland has managed to accumulate an xG of just 0.24 in his last three games against Arsenal. However, Mikel Arteta deserves all the praise in the world after his side became the first team to keep a clean sheet away from home against City in the last 882 days.
Erling Haaland and Gabriel’s on-pitch scuffle ended on a positive note
Throughout the 90 minutes yesterday, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes was tasked with the job of keeping Erling Haaland at bay. After the match ended, it is fair to say that Gabriel made no mistake, as Haaland put in a woeful performance against Arsenal. However, Haaland and Gabriel appeared to have a go at each other during the game after the Norwegian was denied a penalty.
Absolutely loved this little moment between Gabriel and Haaland at full time. Was genuinely smiling at it.
Huge respect for each other.pic.twitter.com/wswbstsiUC
— AK Arsenal (@akarsenalnews) March 31, 2024
In the final stages of the game, Erling Haaland thought he was fouled inside the box, but his pleas for a penalty were ignored by referee Anthony Taylor. In response to Haaland’s calls for a penalty, Gabriel retaliated and shouted at the City star. However, after the match ended, Haaland and Gabriel were spotted exchanging words with each other before the two shared a hug.
Pep Guardiola expressed frustration after Manchester City’s draw against Arsenal
It was a frustrating day for Pep Guardiola, as Manchester City’s title defense took a rather heavy blow. The defending champions are currently placed third in the Premier League table, behind league leaders Liverpool and Arsenal. City currently has 64 points, one point less than Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and three points behind Liverpool, who might just give the perfect farewell to their departing coach, Jurgen Klopp.
“Liverpool are favourites” 🗣️
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits leaders Liverpool are now favourites to lift the Premier League title after going two points clear with nine games to go. pic.twitter.com/vRPraOQxuC
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 1, 2024
After the referee blew the full-time whistle yesterday, Guardiola was pictured having a heated conversation with City forward Jack Grealish. Grealish came on against Arsenal for the final half-hour yesterday but couldn’t do much to change the result. In addition to this, Guardiola also recently complained about City’s hectic schedule ahead of yesterday’s game and criticized the FA and the Premier League.
