Title Charge

With 12 match days left in this enticing Premier League season the title race continues to spring never ending drama. Manchester City remain 5 points behind current leaders Arsenal who have shown that they are serious contenders in recent weeks. With Arsenal's resilience keeping them believing Manchester City have other reasons to believe.

Erling Haaland is quite simply a phenom, with 32 goal contributions in 26 games thus far, including an astonishing 27 goals. Although the Citizens have not been playing at the level we associate with them it is impossible to write them off.

Many fans envision an Arsenal slip up at some point in the remaining games. However, it has to be said that when City's Norwegian superstar is not contributing to goals the blue side of Manchester struggle heavily in games.

For example, recent poor results to Tottenham (1-0 L), Manchester United (2-1 L) and Nottingham Forest (1-1 D) have meant that City have been unable to close the gap to the Gunners. In all three of the games mentioned Haaland was unable to involve himself fully. And had also missed key chances, especially in the game against Nottingham Forest.

Arguably the most integral part to the Manchester club's tactical set up is to involve Haaland as heavily as possible. This may make them predictable and struggle for results in games where they should be winning. Undoubtedly a world superstar he is often too much for defenders to handle, but is City's approach this season too easy to prepare for in comparison to other seasons? Does Haaland's quality actually make City worse as a team?

It has to be said that although City have some phenomenal players Haaland's form is key to their challenge. Will he be able to keep up this quite ridiculous scoring run, or will a poor run of form from him derail City's title ambitions?