Erling Haaland shows Viktor Gyokeres’ agent was wrong with his bold statement

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During the 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Manchester City, most of the talk was about how Erling Haaland compared to Viktor Gyokeres – and it was Haaland who came out on top.

Gyokeres finished with an xG of zero, finding it tough going against the City defence.

In contrast, the Norwegian striker opened the scoring after setting up the move himself and then finishing it off with his weak foot.

Haaland got the better of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba for much of the contest, continuing to make his case as not just the Premier League’s best striker, but one of Europe’s elite number nines.

Viktor Gyokeres’ agent’s comments on Erling Haaland look premature

Gyokeres’ agent Jonathan Chalkias implied that Haaland’s path to success has been easier because he has always played for top clubs.

“If you look at Viktor’s case, he’s been in the bottom teams and struggled all the time. You look at someone like Erling Haaland, for example. Starts at Molde, top club. Salzburg, top club. Dortmund, top club. Man City, top club.

“It’s quite nice as a striker to be in a winning team all the time.”

“That was the idea behind the whole move [to Arsenal]. For Viktor to get this service, to be in a playmaking team. Also, to develop his touch and his game in a more technical league than the Championship is.”

The comments have not aged well so far. Haaland has seven goals this season compared to three for Gyokeres and continues to shine even without playing in a side with complete control.

And when they were on the same pitch against one another in an even contest where Arsenal had more of the ball than City did throughout the game – it was still the Norwegian star who stood out most.

Even Arsenal’s legend Thierry Henry recognized Haaland as an exceptional goalscorer, asserting that his elite production is guaranteed regardless of his position or the team’s system.

If netting goals came effortlessly to all strikers, Gyokeres’ life at Arsenal would have started much easier than it has been.

Viktor Gyokeres comments on comparisons with Erling Haaland

Speaking to L’Equipe, Gyokeres said he sees himself as being on the same level as Haaland, though he did not go as far as his agent in dismissing the Manchester City forward’s achievements.

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“I’m definitely one of them. It’s hard to classify me, but yes, I’m at the same table as them now. They are extraordinary players, at the top level for many years, who have proven much more than I have.

“For my part, I have to show that I am capable of maintaining these performances season after season. What I managed to do at Sporting, I am convinced I can achieve anywhere. You haven’t seen the best Gyokeres yet.”

But based on how things look right now, it is tough to back up that claim.