Gary Neville said there was a moment during Manchester City’s 0-0 draw against Arsenal where one of the hosts’ players looked like “he had never played football before.”
With City having players across the park who are known to be quite technically sound, such statements are rarely ever made about them.
In fact, the opposite is often stated about Pep Guardiola’s men due to their tendency to keep the ball at will, regardless of which team they face, as their footballing ability across the board is second to none.
Gary Neville says Manchester City goalscorer Erling Haaland looked like he had “never played football before” during one key moment against Arsenal
Against Arsenal as well, while City were not at their dazzling best, their ability to retain possession in tight areas was there for the world to see.
The likes of Rodri and Rico Lewis looked like their feet were glued to the ball, despite the intense press the visitors employed at the Etihad Stadium.
But Gary Neville was referring to Erling Haaland, who had a chance to put Manchester City into the lead late into the game against Arsenal.
The ball dropped to the Norwegian striker right in front of the goal and it went through his legs as he tried to strike in what was a truly bizarre moment.
Neville said on Sky Sports, “It’s such a strange one. [Erling] Haaland looked like someone who had never played football before for a few seconds!”
Just a rare moment that happens to the best like Erling Haaland
One can understand why Gary Neville made such a comment about Manchester City goalscorer Erling Haaland against Arsenal.
It was absurd to witness how Haaland did not even make a connection with the ball.
Usually, players either miss such a gilt-edged opportunity or scuff their attempt but the 23-year-old did not even touch the ball.
However, Haaland is only human and players have been seen to have even more absurd moments, such as missing open goals or scoring a strange own goal, like Kompany’s against Fulham in the 2013/2014 season.
Commenting on the moment is understandable but any over-analysis would be unnecessary as even the best can sometimes produce such moments.
