Much has been discussed about Arsenal leaning heavily on set-piece goals this season, but Erling Haaland stats show that Manchester City’s dependence on their star striker could be an even bigger concern.
The Norwegian forward has been in sensational form, scoring 15 goals in his first 12 games across all competitions this season. In the Premier League alone, Haaland has netted 11 goals in 9 matches, which means 65% of City’s league goals come from him. These Erling Haaland stats underline just how central he is to Pep Guardiola’s system—impressive, but potentially risky if he ever has an off day, as City experienced in their recent defeat to Aston Villa.
“Erling Haaland stats show he has scored 65% of Man City’s Premier League goals this season. Pep Guardiola’s system has made him more central than ever.” — Squawka
By contrast, Arsenal have scored 56% of their goals from set pieces, according to WhoScored. While this shows a clear reliance, it is not as extreme as City’s dependence on Haaland, as the Erling Haaland stats make abundantly clear.
Is Manchester City Too Dependent on Haaland?
City’s struggles last season, which saw them finish third in the Premier League, were partly attributed to long-term injuries like Rodri’s absence. This season, however, Erling Haaland stats highlight just how much the team relies on him.
Other attackers such as Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku have struggled to consistently deliver end-product, leaving Guardiola’s side overly dependent on their star striker.
Without the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan contributing as they did in previous seasons, City’s goals largely revolve around Haaland. The Erling Haaland stats demonstrate that if he is neutralized in a match, City could struggle to find alternative scoring options.
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Arsenal – Reliant on Set Pieces
Arsenal could benefit from having a prolific striker like Haaland. Currently, Viktor Gyokeres has only scored three Premier League goals, and much of the Gunners’ attacking threat comes from Gabriel Magalhães converting corners and free-kicks. While this approach works for now, it’s uncertain if it can be sustained over an entire season. In contrast, Erling Haaland stats show that City’s scoring is far more concentrated in one player, emphasizing the difference between the two teams’ attacking strategies.
Implications for the Title Race
Both Manchester City and Arsenal remain strong title contenders. However, the Erling Haaland stats underline a potential vulnerability for City, while Arsenal’s reliance on set pieces shows a different kind of risk. These patterns make the Premier League title race fascinating and could impact their performances in the Champions League, where relying heavily on one source of goals can be costly.
