Erling Haaland vows Manchester City will “hunt” Arsenal down in the title race after becoming the fastest player to score 20 Premier League goals.
Haaland scored twice against his beloved Leeds to reach the milestone in just 14 games and is well on course to smash the record of 34 Premier League goals in a season held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole. His double helped City reduce Arsenal ’s lead to five points at the top of the table and he says they have Mikel Arteta’s side in their sights.
“We have to hunt Arsenal,” said the Blues hitman. “Now we have to show who’s the best team in the league. I have a target, but I cannot say it. I just said in the dressing room that I could have scored five, but the most important thing is that we won.”
Arsenal came from behind to see off West Ham on Boxing Day, which opened up an eight point lead, albeit briefly. The Gunners have only dropped points in two of their 15 games such has been their relentless start, giving City little margin for error.
Haaland, signed from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, has been relentless since his arrival, smashing Premier League records and scoring three hat-tricks along the way, including one in the Manchester derby, but has had a lengthy rest after Norway failed to make it to the World Cup.
Haaland has 26 goals in all competitions and he says watching the World Cup motivated him to be even better. “I’ve been at home, a bit mad that I’ve not been at the World Cup,” he said.
“Watching other people score to win games at the World Cup triggered, motivated and irritated me. I’m more hungry and more ready than ever. I’m recharged.”
Pep Guardiola claims Haaland can be even more devastating because he is still recovering from injury. “I feel he can do a little bit better and in the first half of the season, he was sharper, but I am more than satisfied with him,” said the City boss.
Leeds remain just two points above the drop zone and Jesse Marsch felt they need to be braver on the ball. “In the first half we were stable defensively and we won a lot of the ball, but we were so quick to give it away,” said the Leeds boss. “We needed to be braver, but there’s a quality issue and they’re very good.”
