Arsene Wenger has revealed he believes Erling Haaland makes Manchester City play "differently" as they prepare for their huge title showdown with Arsenal.
The Norwegian enjoyed an electric start to life under Pep Guardiola following his move from Borussia Dortmund. The 22-year-old has an eye-watering 31 goals in just 29 appearances for City in all competitions.
That includes a stunning record of 25 goals in the Premier League - an amount that would have seen Haaland claim the Golden Boot in each of the last four seasons. Despite his contributions, City have not quite been as convincing domestically this term following his arrival.
They sit second in the table and three points behind current leaders Arsenal. Some have claimed that Haaland has actually made City worse this term - a suggestion that has been rejected by three-time Premier League winner Wenger.
Instead, he explained his theory that City are "different" with the Norwegian leading the line and outlined the tactical differences he has noticed with him in the team as they prepare for a huge clash against his former club. Speaking to beIN Sport, the Frenchman said: “Poor is maybe a big word.
"He makes Manchester City a different team. A different team, why? Because now with Haaland they win the ball a little less quickly back and when they win the ball they go more quickly to find him.
“Before they were a bit more patient interchanging and the combination game was maybe more patient and shorter and technically different. Today, they rely more on crosses on direct play with Haaland. We speak about City, you could have the same conversation with Liverpool.”
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If he is fit, Haaland will be aiming to end his longest run without finding the back of the net in the Premier League this week in what represents a key clash in the race for the title. The Gunners host title rivals Man City at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Haaland heads into the game having failed to find the net in each of his last two league games against Spurs and Aston Villa - although he did assist Ilkay Gundogan against the latter. Should he fail to find the back of the net, then that would represent his longest run in the Premier League without scoring.
Whilst City will certainly hope that the striker can rediscover his electric form, Wenger has claimed that his former side are currently his front-runners for the title ahead of Wednesday’s key showdown.
Asked if he believes the Gunners can win the title, he said: “I would say yes because I feel the usual threats in the Premier League are all out of the race and the only threat is City and even City is not as dominant as they were last year or two years before.
"I feel since the start of the season City was more vulnerable defensively than they were in the years before.”
