“I’ve never faced a defender of his caliber before in my entire career. Right now, he’s the only one in the Premier League who can actually stop me,” Erling Haaland reveals, naming the one Arsenal defender he enjoys watching — and it’s not Gabriel Magalhães or William Saliba.

BREAKING NEWS: Haaland Names Surprising Arsenal Defender as Premier League’s Toughest

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has made a shocking revelation that has sent waves through the Premier League. In a recent interview, the prolific Norwegian forward admitted that there is one defender in the English top flight who consistently gives him a hard time — and it’s not who fans expected.

“I have never played against such a defender of his quality in my career before. He is the only defender in the Premier League right now that can stop me anytime,” Haaland confessed. Surprisingly, he wasn’t referring to Arsenal’s well-known duo, William Saliba or Gabriel Magalhães, but another rising star in Mikel Arteta’s formidable defense.

Though Haaland stopped short of naming the player directly, sources close to the Manchester City camp suggest he was talking about Takehiro Tomiyasu, the versatile Japanese international who has quietly become a rock in Arsenal’s backline.

Known for his composure, strength, and tactical intelligence, Tomiyasu has impressed both fans and rivals alike this season.

Haaland’s statement is a major compliment coming from the Premier League’s top goal machine. The City striker has dominated defenders since his arrival, scoring with ease against most teams. However, Arsenal’s disciplined and aggressive defensive approach under Mikel Arteta has proven to be one of the few puzzles Haaland is yet to solve.

“This Arsenal is too tough for Haaland to handle,” fans joked on social media following the revelation. With Arsenal firmly in the title race this season and boasting the best defensive record in the league, Haaland’s admission only adds to the growing respect the Gunners are receiving across Europe.

While most headlines usually focus on attacking brilliance, Haaland’s praise shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of Arsenal’s success. The Gunners’ ability to shut down even the most lethal attackers is a testament to their growth under Arteta.

With the Premier League title race heating up, the next meeting between Arsenal and Manchester City is already being billed as a battle of elite defense versus elite attack. One thing is certain — Haaland knows now that Arsenal’s backline, especially this mystery man, is nothing to mess with.