“I can’t believe I’m going to face him in the Carabao Cup final again, I’m already scared to be honest”: Erling Haaland says he’s scared of ONE Arsenal player and can’t believe he has to face him in the Carabao Cup final again. ERLING HAALAND HAS NAMED ONE ARSENAL PLAYER HE’S ALWAYS SCARED TO PLAY AGAINST, BUT NOT GABRIEL

Erling Haaland is not a man who admits weakness often. Renowned for his clinical finishing and imposing physical presence, the Manchester City striker cuts an intimidating figure on any pitch. That’s what makes his recent confession so striking — that one particular Arsenal player genuinely unsettles him. Though Gabriel has historically been the defensive thorn in City’s side, the player Haaland is reportedly wary of is someone different entirely, likely a midfielder or forward whose style of play gets under his skin and disrupts his effectiveness.
With the Carabao Cup final on the horizon, those words carry real weight. Both Manchester City and Arsenal have earned their place at Wembley the hard way, battling through difficult semi-final ties along the way. Pep Guardiola’s side remain hungry for domestic silverware, while Mikel Arteta has built an Arsenal team defined by discipline and resilience. The stakes, in other words, couldn’t be higher.
Haaland’s concern is rooted in experience. In previous meetings between these two sides, this unnamed Arsenal player has found ways to diminish his impact — whether through intelligent positioning, high-intensity pressing, or simply winning individual duels. Most opponents are powerless against Haaland’s combination of strength and finishing instinct, yet this particular rival has managed to find an answer to it on more than one occasion.
Psychological battles are nothing new in this fixture. City and Arsenal have a history of heated clashes, marked by confrontations, pointed exchanges, and moments of real tension. Haaland himself has been no stranger to the drama. But openly acknowledging fear is rare for an elite athlete of his standing, and it speaks volumes about the regard in which he holds his opponent.
Arsenal’s defensive backbone — built around the commanding partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba — has become one of the most respected in European football. Yet the player troubling Haaland may not be a defender at all. The description fits someone who presses aggressively, disrupts City’s build-up play, and creates danger when Arsenal win the ball back quickly. A forward or box-to-box midfielder, in other words, who makes life uncomfortable for the opposition’s most dangerous man.
For City, the game plan will revolve around Haaland as it always does. His record is extraordinary, and his ability to deliver in finals has never been in doubt. But if any anxiety is affecting his mindset, Guardiola will want to stamp it out early. The Spanish coach is meticulous in his preparation and will not allow doubt to take root.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will draw real encouragement from Haaland’s admission. Arteta has worked hard to instil a belief in his players that they can compete with anyone, and hearing that their star striker has put the opposition’s top scorer on edge is exactly the kind of psychological edge a squad needs heading into a major final.
The match itself has all the hallmarks of a memorable occasion. Both teams have the quality to win it, and the margins will likely be small. Midfield control could prove decisive, with transitions and pressing intensity shaping the flow of the game. Defensive organisation will matter too — this fixture has a habit of producing late drama and fine margins.
Beyond the cup, there is momentum to consider. A win for City would reinforce their standing as serial winners. A win for Arsenal would signal that the Arteta era is ready to deliver silverware, and potentially spark a run at deeper honours.
The public reaction has been enthusiastic. Supporters are debating the identity of Haaland’s nemesis, and the mystery has only added to the anticipation. Whether his comments are a strategic move or a sincere expression of respect, they have ensured that one Arsenal player will walk into Wembley carrying an unusual kind of pressure — the knowledge that the game’s most feared striker is already thinking about him.