Erling Haaland has been spotted doing something for the first time against Arsenal by former goalkeeper Joe Hart.
The Norwegian continued his positive start to the season at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as the striker opened the scoring with an early goal in the contest to make it six goals in five Premier League matches for the 25-year-old.
Gary Neville was impressed with Haaland once again at the weekend, having previously praised the striker for his performance and defensive contributions in City’s 3-0 win over Manchester United.
The striker was needed to help out defensively once again on Sunday against Arsenal, but this time, Hart spotted the Norway international doing something he had never seen before.
Joe Hart spotted Erling Haaland camping outside Man City’s box
Neville praised Haaland’s defending against Man United as the striker was dominant in the Man City box when it came to set-pieces, which was the first time the 25-year-old’s new role has been noticed this season.
The striker was required to contribute defensively again at the weekend, and Joe Hart has admitted that he noticed Haaland playing in front of Man City’s box for a significant amount of time in the second half.
“Erling Haaland, I think in about the 65th minute, he was playing just in front of the D,” Hart said on Football Daily’s Monday Night Club with Mark Chapman. “He was behind the holding midfielder for a good couple of minutes. So it wasn’t necessarily him just grabbing a breath.
“He was defending with his team. And they might have to go through that, and they might have to suffer, and I think they’re just looking for different ways of doing it.”
Man City hired James French as their new set-piece coach this summer, and Haaland’s new role may simply be something the English coach has decided to implement at the Etihad Stadium.
Erling Haaland’s defensive game vs Arsenal in numbers
Although the goal was the highlight of Haaland’s day, his defensive contributions clearly caught the attention of fans and pundits, who have all been speaking about this side of the 25-year-old’s game in the aftermath.
The superstar ended his day against the Gunners with two clearances, one headed clearance, three recoveries, won 2/4 aerial duels and won 1/6 ground duels.
It will be interesting to see how this side of Haaland’s game develops throughout the season, but it’s something that will very likely be seen in the bigger games only.
