Erling Haaland is arguably the most prolific goal scorer in Premier League history.
The Norwegian’s ninth-minute goal against Arsenal on Sunday was his 100th for Manchester City. He tied Cristiano Ronaldo for the fastest player to a century of club goals.
The Premier League has been home to incredible goal-scorers throughout its history, including all-time leader Alan Shearer, England’s Harry Kane and FIFA World Cup winner Thierry Henry.
However, since joining City in 2022, Haaland is in a class of his own. In the Premier League alone, he has 73 goals in 71 appearances, good for over a goal per game. He already has the record for most goals in a season (36) and is fourth in hat tricks (eight).
Haaland becomes the fourth player coached by Pep Guardiola to score 100 goals, joining former City players Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling as well as the great Lionel Messi. Two things can be true: Haaland benefits from Guardiola’s system, and few players can reach such heights in that system.
The talented striker is more than a target in the box for the talented City playmakers. His positional awareness puts him in pockets between or behind the center backs to get a step ahead. The texture of his finishes — whether inside of the foot, a chip over the goalkeeper or, as he did on Sunday, a calculated toe-poke at the near post — exemplify his efficiency. Few forwards possess his blend of speed and physicality.
The winner of the Golden Boot in his first two seasons is poised to secure it yet again, already having notched 10 goals. He broke his own record for the fewest matches to double-digit goals in league history.
The 24-year-old has also scored more goals than 16 Premier League clubs so far this season.
Haaland proved over the last two campaigns that his proficiency is inevitable. While injury could be the only thing that can slow him down, he scored 27 goals, five more than the next player, when struggling with a foot issue last season.
If the world’s most threatening striker continues in this form, City will continue to dominate the record books and the Premier League.