Erling Braut Haaland must step things up for Manchester City | OneFootball

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City need Haaland to hammer the Hammers

Erling Braut Haaland’s form has dipped significantly since his ‘stay humble’ dig at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta last September.

After scoring just four goals in 14 Premier League appearances since then, the Manchester City striker must now regret his ill-advised outburst.

A dismal run of results has left City 14 points behind table-topping Liverpool, and their hopes of winning a fifth successive title are remote.

While City are perfectly capable of reeling off a long unbeaten run in the second half of the season, they need Haaland firing on all cylinders for that to happen.

The home game against West Ham United this afternoon gives the Norwegian the opportunity to let his boots do the talking again.

He bagged a hat-trick in the reverse fixture and will fancy his chances of adding a few more against one of the leakiest defences in the top flight.

If he fails to rediscover his goalscoring form during the rest of the campaign, his childish comments towards Arteta will look even more foolish.

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Arsenal could close the gap on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League to three points if they win at Brighton & Hove Albion today.

The Gunners need to keep winning to crank up the pressure on Arne Slot’s side ahead of their blockbuster clash with Manchester United on Sunday.