Martin Keown has claimed Rob Holding lost his battle with Erling Haaland from the 'very first challenge' after the Man City striker played a crucial role in his side's 4-1 win over title rivals Arsenal.
Holding was making his sixth successive Premier League start for Arsenal, with the defender deputising for the injured William Saliba.
The 27-year-old became the latest defender to struggle against the Norwegian this season, with Haaland winning a physical battle in the opening minutes to assist Kevin De Bruyne for Man City's first goal.
Haaland assisted the Belgian again in the second half, before scoring the final goal in the 4-1 win.
The effort saw Haaland break the Premier League record for goals in a 38-game season with his 33rd of the campaign, while the victory gave Man City a major boost in the title race.
Keown told BT Sport that Holding needed to be more physical with Haaland, with the former Arsenal defender claiming the striker had been allowed to 'strut around' during the match.
'If I was playing, Haaland would be all I was thinking about,’ Keown told BT Sport.
‘Holding lost that battle. The very first challenge, that’s where they concede the first goal.
‘You’ve got to put your marker down, you’ve got to be physical, maybe take a booking.
'But Haaland is just strutting around that pitch and it looked really easy at times.
‘That’s something these young Arsenal defenders are going to have to learn, and learn quickly.’
Former England striker Alan Shearer told Match of the Day that Haaland, who has now scored 49 goals this season, had bullied the Arsenal defence alongside De Bruyne.
Man City's victory saw the defending champions move two points behind leaders Arsenal, with Pep Guardiola's side having two games in hand on their rivals.
The Man City boss admitted the title race is now in their hands, while Gunners manager Mikel Arteta believes his side must win every match to stand a chance of winning the Premier League.
Man City continue their push for the title at Fulham on Sunday, while Arsenal aren't in action until they entertain Chelsea next Tuesday.