Erling Haaland believes Manchester City’s ingrained winning culture gives them a psychological edge as the Premier League title race enters its most critical phase, with the Norwegian striker pointing to a trophy won just weeks ago as evidence of the squad’s pedigree.
City’s next fixture against Arsenal carries significant weight. Three points for Pep Guardiola‘s side would lift them above Mikel Arteta’s Gunners in the standings, potentially shifting the momentum of the entire title race. The match represents one of the most consequential clashes of City’s season.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Haaland addressed the role that collective experience plays in high-pressure run-ins. “Experience in terms of winning trophies? Yes,” the striker said. “We have a lot of new players, and we still have a few who have been here for the past few years. City is a club that you should come to and win trophies. We won a trophy a few weeks ago, which was a nice feeling. We have to build on that.”
The trophy Haaland referenced reflects a City side that, despite squad turnover, continues to compete for honours on multiple fronts. Manchester City reached their seventh consecutive FA Cup semifinal after defeating Liverpool, underlining the club’s sustained ability to progress deep into competitions.
Beyond collective experience, Haaland outlined the personal mental framework he relies on during the season’s closing stages. “For me, the mind and being in a good state of mind is really important,” he said. “Now it is a huge game coming up. You should stay calm in your head and don’t think of too much, because that’s the worst thing that can happen.”
The 24-year-old elaborated further on his preparation philosophy. “It’s to train good, it’s to prepare well tactically with the team and it is trying to be free in your mind. Don’t think too much, don’t overthink too much, think positively and try to get ready for the game mentally and physically.”
Haaland also drew encouragement from City’s recent performance against Chelsea, a match he described as a benchmark for the squad’s current form and resilience. “We have a final every single week now. The last game against Chelsea was an amazing game for us. We started a bit sloppy, but we finished really strong. We are doing good and we are hungry for more.”
The framing of each remaining fixture as a “final” reflects the narrow margins now separating the title contenders. Arsenal, under Arteta, have been among City’s most persistent challengers over recent seasons, finishing as Premier League runners-up in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns. The two clubs’ meetings have consistently carried decisive implications for where the title ultimately lands.
With several matchdays remaining, both squads face a condensed run of fixtures that will test depth, consistency, and composure. For City, the outcome of the Arsenal fixture could prove to be the defining moment of their season.
