Ken Early: Haaland isn’t a beautiful footballer but he has the most important skill in the game

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring their third goal from the penalty spot against Luton Town at the Etihad Stadium. Photograph: Darren Staples/Getty Images“The level of his general play is so poor and not just today . . . He’s almost like a League Two player, that’s how I look at him . . . Being a brilliant striker is fantastic, but he has to improve his all-round game,” Keane said after Manchester City drew 0-0 with Arsenal .

Keane’s criticism might not affect Haaland in the sense of shaking his confidence but it would certainly annoy him. Players are acutely aware of what people are saying about them. This was, after all, the weekend in which Alejandro Garnacho made headlines by liking posts by Mark Goldbridge in which the Manchester United YouTuber suggested Garnacho had been harshly treated by Erik ten Hag.

With Liverpool’s title challenge in tatters it was over to Arsenal, whose coach Mikel Arteta had made some changes to his attack, including supersub Leandro Trossard in the starting line-up and moving Kai Havertz back into midfield with Jorginho dropping to the bench. It is still not quite clear why Arteta paid £65 million for the chance to see if he could unlock Havertz’s supposed potential – couldn’t that have been someone else’s problem? – but having argued for the signing the manager is determined to see him succeed.

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