“Stay humble” – Erling Haaland’s title race message to Manchester City squad after Arsenal win

Sunday’s result at the Etihad Stadium saw Manchester City close the gap further to Arsenal and should the Blues beat Burnley in their game in hand on Wednesday night, they will go top of the Premier League table.

Haaland lauds Bernardo for five-star Arsenal display

In a passionate post-match interview with Sky Sports alongside Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva, Haaland raved about the departing midfielder’s 10/10 performance on and off the ball against Arsenal.

On Silva beating Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres to a header in the second-half, Haaland said: “I remember that cross, I told him after when he headed it out, ‘You were like f*****g (Fabio) Cannavaro!’

“Come on! We’ve all been swearing in all lives. Today, Bernie, I’m not going to make it emotional here, but you were really good, as usual.”

Silva starred in his first game since his emotional announcement that he will be leaving Manchester City when his contract expires in June – and Haaland and the rest of the dressing room seem hell-bent on giving the Portugal international a trophy-laden send off.

We need to stay humble, says Haaland

It is as tight as it can get between Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the table and Haaland has reminded his teammates of not getting ahead of themselves just yet.

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“Burnley is as important as this game – and as the Chelsea game was – so we need to focus, we need to stay humble, don’t think too much, and focus on the next,” the forward added.

City will aim to win all of their remaining six Premier League fixtures as they look to keep Arsenal at bay on goal difference and produce arguably the most miraculous title hijack in English top-flight history.

Guardiola will be keeping his players on their toes and leaning on the likes of Haaland and Silva – who have been there and done it before – to keep the newer members of the Manchester City dressing room in check in the run-in.