Fascinating statistics have surfaced indicating that without Erling Haaland, Arsenal would have defeated Manchester City to win the Premier League.
After Arsenal stumbled in the title battle towards the end of the season, City are on track to win the domestic championship this year.
After a fantastic campaign led by Mikel Arteta, in which the team dominated the standings for the majority of the year, the Gunners were hailed as the clear favourite to win the championship.
However, a string of poor performances in recent weeks have seen them lose the grip at the top, with their weekend defeat against Brighton all but handing Man City the title.
The Athletic reports Arteta’s men were demolished 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium over the weekend, with the result leaving them trailing City, who have a game in hand, by four points.
Haaland and City’s title bid
While Man City boast an incredible squad, it has now emerged they have Haaland to thank for putting them on course to retain the Premier League.
According to Sportbible, stats show that had it not been for the Norwegian’s goals this term, the Citizens would not have successfully challenged for the crown.
The publication, citing numbers crunched by NJ.bet, shows the champs would not have even been in the Premier League top four without Haaland.
The former Borussia Dortmund ace has scored an eyewatering 52 goals for City across competitions, with 36 of those coming in the Premier League.
Without his contributions, the Citizens would be sitting fifth with 61 points, a point behind Liverpool, who would be in fourth.
Arsenal would be leading the table with their current 81 points, a massive 13 points ahead of Newcastle, who would be second.
Meanwhile, Man United would be sitting third with 67 points, a point behind the Magpies.
Why Arsenal lost EPL title
Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Manchester United legend and now pundit, Gary Neville outlining seven reasons why Arsenal failed to win the EPL title this season.
With the Gunners having little to no hope of being crowned champions, the Red Devils legend believes he knows why the north Londoners tripped at the finish line.
Erling Haaland’s impact on Manchester City’s title charge cannot be overstated.
The Norwegian striker, known for his exceptional goal-scoring prowess and clinical finishing, added a new dimension to City’s already formidable attacking lineup.
His arrival provided City with a lethal and consistent source of goals, giving them an edge over their competitors.
Despite Arsenal’s commendable efforts, they were unable to sustain their early-season form until the end.
While their campaign ultimately fell short, their performances should not be overshadowed.
Under Arteta’s guidance, Arsenal displayed an improved style of play, solid defensive organization, and promising attacking combinations that ignited hopes of a potential title triumph.
The emergence of young talents like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, coupled with the experienced presence of players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, contributed to Arsenal’s success during the season.
However, the introduction of Haaland to Manchester City proved to be a game-changer in the title race.
Nonetheless, Arsenal’s progress under Arteta bodes well for the future, as they continue to build a competitive squad capable of challenging for major honors.
With the right reinforcements and continued development, the Gunners will be eager to mount a stronger title challenge in the seasons to come.
While the statistics indicate that Arsenal could have secured the Premier League title if not for Haaland’s influence, it is important to recognize the overall strength and depth of Manchester City’s squad, which extends beyond any single player.