Three words uttered by Erling Haaland in September have since entered Premier League folklore, with Manchester City’s form falling off a cliff since the striker told Mikel Arteta: “Stay humble, eh?”
For anyone wondering how City ended up seventh in the Premier League table come Boxing Day – 14 points adrift of leaders Liverpool – there are many who will point towards perhaps the sliding doors moment on 22 September.
Arsenal’s match at City was viewed as the champions against their nearest challengers, and what played out was a tense, prickly affair where Rodri limped off, Leandro Trossard saw red and John Stones scored a 98th-minute equaliser for the hosts.
A late point salvaged by City ensured they denied their title rivals a huge win on the road, and in the giddy aftermath, Haaland – who had scored that day – gave Arteta a slap on the back and uttered those now immortal words.
The phrase was trending again on social media on Boxing Day when the Norwegian was humbled himself by a gurning Jordan Pickford.
That was the latest of many missteps from Haaland recently, whose own form mirrors City’s.
It really has been some drop-off – the player admitting so himself – and with his form matching City’s plight, here’s a closer look at the stats since “stay humble” left the striker’s mouth.
Man City 15th in the form table
City have played 13 league games in that period, and though they initially took 10 points from 12, it was the defeat to Bournemouth on 2 November that truly kickstarted this terrible run.
In all, they have taken 15 points from a possible 39 since that Arsenal match, recording four wins, three draws and a staggering six losses.
The four-game losing streak against Bournemouth, Brighton, Tottenham and Liverpool was the first time City had lost four straight in the league since 2008. Pep Guardiola has also endured his longest losing run as a manager in the process.
As a result, since the Arsenal game up to Boxing Day, City are 15th in the form table, level on 15 points with Manchester United – a period in which Liverpool have taken 30 points from 12 games, having played one fewer due to the Merseyside derby’s postponement.
Haaland’s goals since Arsenal
Haaland has scored three Premier League goals since the draw with Arsenal. Prior to that – including the match against the Gunners – he scored in the first five league games of the season, including hat-tricks against Ipswich Town and West Ham.
The Norwegian was therefore the early favourite for the Golden Boot, but he has since been overtaken by Mohamed Salah, who has scored 16 goals to Haaland’s 13 overall. Former City star Cole Palmer narrowly trails on 12, while Alexander Isak has 10.
Haaland's shot accuracy
Haaland has had the most shots (73) and shots on target (39) of any player in the Premier League this season. He is also on course to record more shots than last season.
However, his accuracy has diminished since the Arsenal match. In that game and the four prior he had scored 10 goals from 26 shots, with 19 of those shots on target.
That made for 38 per cent of his shots being goals, and 73 per cent of his shots on target.
Since the Arsenal match, he has had 47 shots in the league, with 20 on target and just three goals. That is six per cent of shots leading to goals, and 43 per cent shots on target. In this run of just three goals, his xG is 8.24.
Haaland missing big chances – and penalties
Haaland has missed 11 clear-cut goalscoring opportunities since the draw with Arsenal, more than any other Premier League player.
The saved penalty by Pickford was the first league spot-kick Haaland has missed since August 2023, while he also missed a penalty against Sporting in the 4-1 Champions League defeat on 5 November - and that, after scoring penalties against Ipswich and Feyenoord.
A 2-2 penalty record this season is a far cry from his 9-1 record for City last season.
A blank against Wolves
Though City’s form was not particularly bad straight after the Arsenal match, there were signs that Haaland was struggling himself.
In the 2-1 win at Wolves on 20 October, Haaland failed to record a single shot, while he did not win any duels or record a single successful dribble.
In total, he had 13 touches, the fewest he’s had when playing 90 minutes of Premier League football.
He has largely cut an isolated, frustrated figure since, and in the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa earlier this month, he failed to touch the ball in Villa’s box during the first half, and only once in the second half – in the 89th minute.
The service is lacking with Kevin De Bruyne not firing either, and Haaland admitted to a lack of confidence after that Villa defeat.
“First I'm looking at myself. I haven't been doing things good enough, I haven't been scoring my chances. I have to do better, I haven't been good enough,” he said.
“Of course, our confidence is not the best. We know how important confidence is and you can see that it affects every human being. That is how it is. We have to continue and stay positive even though it is difficult.”
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