As all eyes were on who would come out on top between Erling Haaland and Viktor Gyokeres during the 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Manchester City, the Norwegian outperformed the Swede.
Gyokeres’ xG was zero against Manchester City as he struggled throughout the contest.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Erling Haaland scored the opener by starting off the move and finishing it in clinical fashion.
Haaland dominated Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba for much of the clash as he continues to cement his status as the best striker in the Premier League and arguably the standout number nine in the world.
Viktor Gyokeres’ agent will regret suggesting Erling Haaland has it easy
However, Gyokeres’ agent suggested Haaland has it easy at Manchester City and across his various sides due to playing for top clubs, as Jonathan Chalkias said: “If you look at Viktor’s case, he’s been in the bottom teams and struggled all the time. You look at someone like Erling Haaland, for example. Starts at Molde, top club. Salzburg, top club. Dortmund, top club. Man City, top club.”
“It’s quite nice as a striker to be in a winning team all the time.”
“That was the idea behind the whole move [to Arsenal]. For Viktor to get this service, to be in a playmaking team. Also, to develop his touch and his game in a more technical league than the Championship is.”
However, when assessing Viktor Gyokeres’ start to life at Arsenal, his agent must regret his comments about Haaland, who has four more goals than him (seven as compared to three) despite playing in an inferior side.
Furthermore, when both strikers played in the same game where the Gunners dominated much of the ball, the stats further indicated that the Manchester City marksman came out on top.
| STATS DURING ARSENAL VS MANCHESTER CITY | ERLING HAALAND | VIKTOR GYOKERES |
| GOALS | 1 | 0 |
| XG + XA | 0.53 | 0.01 |
| SHOTS | 2 | 0 |
| TOUCHES | 26 | 22 |
| TOUCHES IN THE OPPOSITION BOX | 2 | 6 |
| DUELS WON | 3/10 | 2/7 |
As Thierry Henry claimed, Haaland is a special goalscorer and regardless of where he plays and the system in place, he guarantees production at an elite standard.
If it was as easy for every number nine to score goals for fun, Gyokeres would be the top scorer in the league after his move to Arsenal.
Viktor Gyokeres revealed whether he is as good as Erling Haaland
In an interview with L’Equipe, Gyokeres claimed he is at the same level as Haaland, even though he did not downplay the latter’s brilliance like his agent.
“I’m definitely one of them. It’s hard to classify me, but yes, I’m at the same table as them now. They are extraordinary players, at the top level for many years, who have proven much more than I have.
“For my part, I have to show that I am capable of maintaining these performances season after season. What I managed to do at Sporting, I am convinced I can achieve anywhere. You haven’t seen the best Gyokeres yet.”
As things stand, it is hard to agree with the former Sporting CP talisman.
