Gary Lineker says Arsenal star is ‘not in the same league’ as Erling Haaland | Football
Gary Lineker says Erling Haaland could make the difference in the title race as he is in a ‘different league’ to Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Manchester City sit second in the Premier League heading into Christmas, just two points behind favorites Arsenal.
Haaland scored a brace in Saturday’s 3-0 win over West Ham, taking his tally for the Premier League season to 19 goals in 17 games.
The 25-year-old, winner of two Premier League Golden Boots, has been even more prolific for Norway this year, scoring a remarkable 38 goals in all competitions.
Lineker believes Haaland could make the difference as Man City attempt to hunt down Arsenal and propel the Gunners to the Premier League title.
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Arsenal were hoping that £64m summer signing Gyokeres, if not having the same impact as Haaland, would at least be a consistent goalscorer for a team that has played without a natural striker in recent years.
Gyokeres boasted a sensational record for Portuguese champions Sporting – scoring 97 goals in 102 appearances – but was less effective in England, netting seven goals in 20 matches.
The 27-year-old Sweden international scored Arsenal’s winner in a hard-fought victory over Everton on Saturday, but Lineker is under no illusions about the difference in quality between Gyokeres and Haaland.
“Erling Haaland has already scored 19 goals in the Premier League and he scored a bunch of goals for Norway in the (World Cup) qualifying matches,” the former England striker said on The Rest is Football podcast.
“It’s incredible what he does. I mean, he could ultimately be the difference between Man City and Arsenal this season.
“Viktor Gyokeres has arrived and I look at him and I don’t want to be rude but he’s not in the same league as Haaland.
“He got a penalty against Everton to try and get him to score again after his recent injury and it was good to see him step up.”
Arsenal and Manchester are joined at the top of the Premier League by surprise title challengers Aston Villa, who have won ten games in a row under Unai Emery.
Emery has repeatedly downplayed Villa’s qualification for the title and Lineker has also ruled the Birmingham club out of the Premier League trophy race.
“I think we’re looking at Arsenal and Man City now,” Lineker said of the title race.
“Liverpool are probably too far away, Chelsea too. Arsenal and Man City are both well away from those two, which means they won’t be able to make up for it.
“I think Man City are a lot closer to where they were, I still think they could be vulnerable at the back and on the counter.
“Rodri’s return will also be a big boost but he’s been out for a long time now, I hope he’s okay because we’re a bit worried about the players after big injuries.”
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