Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has made it clear that the looming showdown with Arsenal on Sunday does not weigh heavily on his mind. The Norwegian forward explained that his team approaches the match without the burden of expectation because, after spending much of the campaign playing catch‑up, they now have "nothing to lose" and can play with freedom. City arrive at the decisive fixture – broadcast live on Sky Sports – with the knowledge that a string of seven victories in as many games would almost certainly hand them the Premier League crown, ending a year‑long interlude at Liverpool.
Yet Haaland, who has been under intense scrutiny after scoring only once in his previous five league outings, chose to downplay the pressure on both himself and the club as they attempt to overturn Arsenal's six‑point advantage. "At the moment I feel very calm," Haaland told Sky Sports from the Etihad Campus training ground.
"We have one game a week, which is unusual for us. It rarely happens.
Honestly, I’m not feeling any nerves because we have been chasing all season and we have nothing to lose, so there is no pressure on me." He added a note of curiosity about the Gunners' mindset: "You would have to ask Arsenal if they feel the pressure. I can’t speak for them. I can only speak for myself. I don’t feel a lot of pressure because we are still behind." If Haaland is to end his four‑game league goal drought, he will need to outwit Arsenal’s central defensive pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba – a task he failed to accomplish when City were held to a 1‑1 draw at the Emirates earlier in the season.
Historically, Haaland has found the net five times in ten appearances against the Gunners at the Etihad, but this time he must work harder to create space against what many consider the league’s strongest centre‑back duo. "It’s always a battle," he said. "They usually have a lot of players around me, which can be good for me because it means I have to find ways to beat them.
It isn’t easy to play with many defenders closing you down, but it’s a nice fight. Playing against the best is something you enjoy – it’s what you want to do." City managed to shake off the anxiety of knowing the title was practically in their hands after a tense first half against Chelsea last weekend.
They emerged from the break with renewed vigor, scoring three goals in just 17 minutes to secure a comfortable 3‑0 victory at Stamford Bridge. That win came after Arsenal suffered a surprising home defeat to Bournemouth a day earlier, an upset Haaland believes has turned every remaining game for both clubs into a de facto cup final.
"It feels like a final," he explained. "Last weekend against Chelsea felt like a final, and now we have a final every weekend for the next six weeks.
This match is massive – probably the biggest and best game of the season – so we hope it will be an amazing spectacle. We all understand the importance of this encounter." At the conclusion of the Chelsea match, Haaland lifted young defender Abdukodir Khusanov onto his shoulders during the celebrations, allowing the Uzbek international to receive applause from the travelling City supporters in west London. The gesture highlighted Haaland’s growing leadership role within the squad, despite the 22‑year‑old being only three years older than Khusanov. Haaland reflected on the moment: "Khusanov has been fantastic for us.
It isn’t easy for him – moving to a new country, learning a new language, dealing with the pressure of being the first Uzbek to play in the Premier League. I speak like I’m 35, but I’m only 25.
I have a lot of experience because I’ve played many games in different situations, so I try to help others feel comfortable and guide them through tough moments." The Norwegian’s season has been impressive overall. After a period of adaptation when he first arrived at Manchester City, he has become a prolific scorer, contributing crucial goals and assists.
As the club prepares for what could be the eighth league encounter out of the last twelve against Arsenal, Haaland’s confidence and composure will be vital. Looking ahead, the match is slated to kick off at 4:30 pm on Sunday, with live coverage on Sky Sports Premier League.
Fans can also engage with the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, entering for free. Regardless of the outcome, Haaland’s calm demeanor and City’s "nothing to lose" attitude suggest a thrilling contest that could decide the fate of the 2024‑25 Premier League title.