Erling Haaland caused a stir back in September after mocking Mikel Arteta.
Seconds after Manchester City pegged Arsenal back with a 98th minute equaliser from John Stones, which secured a 2-2 draw, the Norway international was filmed telling the Spaniard to “stay humble” as tensions rose.
It was an odd comment from the Manchester City No.9 – seeing as the Citizens were only moments away from losing that match – and karma has since bitten Erling Haaland on the backside since his jibe towards Mikel Arteta.
Erling Haaland seriously struggling since mocking Mikel Arteta
That comment seems to have had a karmic impact on the Norwegian.
In 12 Premier League appearances since that remark, Haaland has scored just three goals – as Manchester City suffer six defeats in that space of time too.
Haaland – who failed a trial at Everton once upon a time – has also struggled to create when not scoring goals himself, recording just one assist in these 12 games.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Manchester City FC at Villa Park on December 21, 2024 ...
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
This remarkably poor run of form has seen Manchester City drop to sixth in the Premier League – six points behind Arsenal and nine behind Liverpool, who still have two games in hand.
Arsenal can learn from Manchester City
The Citizens are giving Arsenal – and every other side in the Premier League for that matter – a lesson on complacency.
Manchester City sold Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Jadon Sancho, Romeo Lavia and many other top talents while dominating football under Guardiola.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks dejected during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Manchester City FC at Villa Park on...
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
However, those who helped the Spaniard secure a historic treble in 2023 and many trophies beforehand are now starting to decline, leaving Manchester City with a thin, ageing squad as the aforementioned talents star for domestic rivals.
Of course, we understand clubs cannot just gate keep players for years until needed, but given the precocious talent of the aforementioned names, clauses like a buyback option should have been insisted on when allowing them to depart.
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