Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel does not believe Erling Haaland shows up in big games.
Mikel made the bold call on beIN Sports and felt the Norwegian had a worrying tendency to go missing when Manchester City needed him most.
When asked if Haaland showed up in big games, Mikel responded: ‘Right now, he hasn’t. We can agree on that.
‘He’s scored goals, so many goals, but in the big games, I want to see him do that on Sunday again when they play Arsenal. I want to see him show up in big games and be the man. Score one or two, hat-trick, whatever it is.
‘This season, I think his general play has become much better than it was last season. I want to see him, on Sunday, show up in the big games, which is what Messi did.’
Ex-Chelsea star John Obi Mikel claimed Erling Haaland goes missing in the big games
Mikel called on Haaland to deliver for City when they face Arsenal on Sunday
The Norwegian marksman already has a staggering nine goals from just four games
Mikel namedropped Messi as the beIN Sports panel debated whether the Argentinian legend or Haaland was more impactful for their respective teams.
The 37-year-old agreed Haaland was ‘very impactful’, but doubled down on his claim the Norwegian remained anonymous against City’s biggest rivals.
‘I think what we’re saying here, players are judged by how you show up in big games. In big games for City last season, he hasn’t showed up.
‘Yes, he’s a machine, he scores goals, he’s brilliant at what he does. No doubt anybody is going to argue that. But we want to see more of that in the big games and that’s something hopefully we can see this season.
Haaland has found the back of the net against every team in the so-called ‘Big Six’ and holds a record of 15 goals from 20 games.
The tally drops to 12 in 19 if you remove a hat-trick he scored against Manchester United in October 2022.
Haaland’s lowest tally among the ‘Big Six’ is his one goal from three matches against Liverpool having missed one game due to a groin injury.
His best record is against the Red Devils with six goals in four games.
Erling Haaland has a strong record against the so-called ‘Big Six’ of English football
Mikel admitted Haaland is ‘very impactful’ but felt he needs to show more in the big games
Haaland will look to add to his two goals against Arsenal when City welcome Mikel Arteta’s side to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The two sides ground out a 0-0 draw when they last met, but City will no doubt fancy their chances given Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
However, Arsenal will welcome back key midfielder Declan Rice from suspension.
