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Topics: Ian Wright, Erling Haaland, Arsenal, Manchester City, Premier League, Football
Joe Adams
Topics: Ian Wright, Erling Haaland, Arsenal, Manchester City, Premier League, Football
Ian Wright has questioned whether signing a player with the pedigree of Erling Haaland would be beneficial for Arsenal.
The Gunners have produced consecutive 2-2 draws to Liverpool and West Ham in recent weeks, dropping a crucial four points in the Premier League title race.
However, Mikel Arteta's side remain four points clear at the top of the table - albeit having played one game than second-placed Manchester City.
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A potentially title-defining clash against the reigning champions awaits them at the Etihad, with free-scoring Erling Haaland ready to strike fear into any opposition he faces.
Although Wright isn't convinced the Norwegian striker would make Arsenal a better side.
If anyone knows where the goal is, it's ex Arsenal striker Wright, who scored 185 times in 288 games for the Gunners.
But 21-year-old Haaland looks set to smash every goalscoring record out there, after he took his season's tally to a remarkable 47 goals in all competitions last weekend.
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And while Wright has been complimentary of his efforts, the Match of the Day pundit recognises the benefits of not having a single threat up front.
“Progress the ball from the back… Thomas Partey, [Martin] Odegaard, [Bukayo] Saka, [Leandro] Trossard, [Gabriel] Martinelli, [Gabriel] Jesus… so many different ways to hurt a team,” Wright told The Athletic.
“As much as I was really pleased to be somebody that was at the time the main goalscorer, and you do want somebody who’s scoring between 15 and 25 league goals a season, I believe that when you are able to spread the goals around, people can’t plan for it.
“Of course, you look at Erling Haaland. Magnificent. Amazing what he’s doing and good luck to him. But would I change what we’re doing for somebody who’s scoring goals like that? I don’t know. It may mess up the equilibrium of what’s going on. I’m not sure.”
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Indeed, Arsenal have shared the goals fairly evenly throughout their attack, with a number of different players getting on the scoresheet.
Gabriel Martinelli is the club's top scorer with 14 goals in all competitions. While Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard follow suit with 13 and 11 respectively.
Even Granit Xhaka, who is not known for his goal contributions, has chipped in with seven across all competitions this term.