Gary Lineker says Arsenal star is ‘not in the same league’ as Erling Haaland | Football

Gary Lineker says Erling Haaland could be ‘the difference’ in the title race as he is in a ‘different league’ to Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Manchester City sit second in the Premier League going into Christmas, just two points behind title favourites Arsenal.

Haaland scored a brace in Saturday’s 3-0 win over West Ham to take his overall tally for the Premier League season to 19 goals in 17 games.

The 25-year-old, a winner of two Premier League Golden Boot awards, has been even more prolific for Norway this year, scoring a remarkable 38 goals in all competitions.

Lineker believes Haaland could be ‘the difference’ as Man City attempt to chase down Arsenal and pip the Gunners to the Premier League title.

Arsenal hoped £64m summer signing Gyokeres would if not have the same impact as Haaland then at least be a consistent goalscorer for a side who have played without a natural striker in recent years.

Gyokeres boasted a sensational record for Portuguese champions Sporting – scoring 97 goals in 102 appearances – but has been less effective in England, netting seven goals in 20 games.

The 27-year-old Sweden international did score Arsenal’s winner in a hard-fought win over Everton on Saturday but Lineker is under no illusions of the difference in quality between Gyokeres and Haaland.

‘Erling Haaland has already got 19 goals in the Premier League and he scored a bucketload for Norway in the [World Cup] qualifying games,’ the ex-England striker said on The Rest is Football podcast.

‘It’s incredible what he’s doing. I mean, he could ultimately be the difference between Man City and Arsenal this season.

‘Viktor Gyokeres has come in and I look at him and I don’t want to be rude but he’s not in the same league as Haaland.

‘He was given the penalty against Everton to try and get him scoring again after his recent injury and it was good to see him step up.’

Arsenal and Manchester are joined at the top of the Premier League by surprise title challengers Aston Villa, who have won ten games in a row under Unai Emery.

Emery has repeatedly downplayed Villa’s title credentials and Lineker has also ruled the Birmingham club out of the race for the Premier League trophy.

‘I think we’re looking at Arsenal and Man City now,’ Lineker said of the title race.

‘Liverpool are probably too far back, Chelsea too. Both Arsenal and Man City are well clear of those two which means they won’t be able to make that up.

‘I think Man City are much closer to where they were, I still think they might be vulnerable at the back and on the counter.

‘Rodri coming back will be a big boost as well but he’s been out for a long time now, I hope he’s okay because you worry a bit for players after big injuries.’

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