Manchester City star Antoine Semenyo has denied suggestions that Erling Haaland’s game is not balanced enough. The Norwegian continues to destroy Premier League defenses, but has faced increased criticism of late.
Haaland, 25, has already equaled the number of Premier League goals he scored in last season’s Golden Boot (22). And it would be a safe bet to predict that he’ll add a few more to that number between now and the end of the campaign.
City are being asked to offer more throughout their play as they look to wrest title supremacy from Arsenal on Sunday. But Semenyo, who joined in January, is already realizing the huge benefits of being alongside such a proven threat at the top.
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“He’s a big problem,” he said on In the Mixer, presented by Sky Bet. “Even just during the game, when people mark him, it’s not just one person, it’s like three people are marking him.
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“(Looks relieved) I feel like the space for everyone else is great. But he causes a lot of problems. He’s tall, he’s fast and he can finish. (He’s) essentially a complete striker. No matter what’s in the box, he’s going to score.”
Since leaving Bournemouth, Semenyo may have had some admiration for his team-mate, but he hasn’t gotten carried away with his praise for Haaland. And when asked where he ranks among the best strikers in Premier League history, he refrained from placing his colleague in too lofty a position.
Haaland is on his way to winning yet another Premier League Golden Boot but has been accused of not having enough balance in his game (Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
“That’s a difficult question,” he answered. “He will definitely go up there. His numbers are scandalous – 41 goals in one season.”
He continued: “It’s not just about his goals. It’s not so much about what he does for the team, but he’s so important.”
“Just holding the ball and getting guys out to play is so important to our game. He can do a lot of things. I’ll give it to him.”
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The former Premier League Player of the Year is expected to display all of those qualities this Sunday. City still hold the game and welcome Arsenal with a chance to close the gap at the top of the table to just three points.
Semenyo also believes his side are facing the Gunners at the ideal time after winning just one of their five games, saying: “We’ve been in good form in the last few games and are probably playing the best football we’ve played in the second half of the season.”
“So I think it’s a good time to play them. Where they were down, we came back up, so it’s going to be interesting.”
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