Pep Guardiola has made an observation that could give Manchester City the edge over both Liverpool and Arsenal in the race to win the Premier League title this season.
Based on the first four games of the campaign, it seems like Manchester City still have plenty of room for improvement before they can be considered on the same level as a side as their two title rivals.
Pep Guardiola’s side currently sit in eighth place in the league table, having won and lost two games apiece.
However, their Erling Haaland-inspired 3-0 win against Manchester United showed that it would be too early to write their title prospects off despite the Sky Blues’ rocky start to the season.
Guardiola was full of praise for the Norwegian striker, as he noticed a change in his game.
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Pep Guardiola claims Erling Haaland is better than he was when Man City won the treble
Pep Guardiola went as far as to claim that Haaland is better than he was when Manchester City won the treble in 2023.
When City made history two years ago, the Leeds-born marksman scored a staggering 52 goals in 53 games.
After the Manchester Derby, Pep Guardiola made the definitive claim about Haaland via BBC Sport: “Erling has been incredible since the start but this season he is better than ever. I would say better than the treble year. He is dynamic and I don’t judge him for the clearances, we want him to score goals and to help us.”
Erling Haaland celebrates during Manchester City v Manchester United.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
“Erling has never disappointed since he has arrived. He has shown the commitment and signed a contract for many years. He is a special player.”
Haaland’s red-hot form should worry Liverpool and Arsenal about their title hopes
While football is a team sport, Liverpool and Arsenal should be concerned about their title hopes as they lack a goalscorer of Haaland’s standard in their ranks.
Guardiola believes Haaland is better than Viktor Gyokeres while Alexander Isak only outscored him for the first time last season (24 goals while Haaland scored 22) since becoming a Premier League player.
Much like Manchester City, even Liverpool have struggled defensively this season and while Arsenal’s backline is undeniably outstanding, one of the reasons behind their failure to get over the line under Mikel Arteta is the fact that they have lacked an elite goalscorer in their ranks.
Gyokeres could very well be the answer for Arteta’s side but Haaland is proven in the Premier League and even this campaign, he is leading the goalscoring charts with five goals to his name.
2025/2026 SEASON: TOP GOALSCORERS GOALS
ERLING HAALAND 5
ANTOINE SEMENYO 3
VIKTOR GYOKERES 3
Pep Guardiola demanded more from Haaland this season both on and off the pitch and he seems to be emerging as a leader, scoring goals for fun despite Manchester City’s weaknesses. While even off the ball, Gary Neville lauded Haaland’s defending against Manchester United — which shows he is determined to help City win the title once again.
Much like when Robin van Persie led Manchester United to domestic glory in 2013, the same could ensue this campaign if the 25-year-old continues to deliver leave Liverpool and Arsenal in the dust — which should concern Liverpool and Arsenal.
Haaland vs Isak vs Gyokeres stats
When comparing Haaland’s career in comparison to Isak and Gyokeres in recent years, the numbers show why he is the finest goalscorer out of the bunch.
PLAYER GOALS GAMES
ERLING HAALAND 312 378
ALEXANDER ISAK 136 336
VIKTOR GYOKERES 192 305
Haaland has scored 312 goals in 378 games, managing to outscore Isak and Gyokeres by 176 and 120 goals respectively.
Despite playing 42 and 73 games more than Isak and Gyokeres respectively, the pair’s numbers pale in comparison to the two-time Premier League winner.