Erling Haaland seems like a man on a mission this season after his previous campaign was blighted by a major injury in particular.
Haaland has scored seven goals in his first three Premier League games this season; while during the Norwegian’s debut term where he broke the division’s all-time goalscoring record for a single campaign with 36 goals — he had registered three goals at the same stage.
Furthermore, during Manchester City’s 4-0 thrashing of AFC Bournemouth during the second game of the season, the 24-year-old failed to get on the score sheet.
However, the £51 million man’s tremendous start to the season is a frightening prospect for defences across the nation.
Arsenal, who dropped two vital points in their 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion will especially be fearful of the former Borussia Dortmund striker’s exploits — as they seem the best-placed to push City to the title.
Mikel Arteta’s side face Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby away from home after the international break, which is usually a taxing clash for both sides.
However, Pep Guardiola’s men as a whole have started the season in blistering fashion and Haaland is leading their operation as he scored his second hat-trick of the campaign against West Ham United.
Haaland levels Henry feat in the Premier League as Man City defeat West Ham
West Ham would have been encouraged by their fearless start to the contest.
Michail Antonio seemed inches away from opening the scoring mere minutes to the game before Josko Gvardiol’s instrumental clearance.
However, the Leeds-born marksman reminded them on three seperate occasions that every time the hosts felt they could snatch a result, his eye for goal would make sure the visitors would triumph at the London Stadium.
Jamie Redknapp claimed Haaland looks the best he has ever seen him as well.
Micah Richards lauded Haaland’s ruthlesness in front of goal as well as City won 3-1 on Saturday.
As the treble-winner registered three goals, he equalled Thierry Henry’s tally of eight Premier League hat-tricks — according to Squawka.
However, while Henry scored eight hat-tricks in the league in 258 games, Haaland has matched his feat in 69 outings.
The other legendary strikers who the ex-RB Salzburg phenom went level with were Harry Kane and Michael Owen — who scored eight league hat-tricks in 320 and 326 games respectively.
A proud day for Erling Haaland to go level with Thierry Henry
It is a testament to Haaland’s greatness that he has managed to go level with Thierry Henry in this regard while not even playing a third of the latter’s games in England.
The Manchester City speedster has every reason to be full of pride upon coming across such a statistic.
The Arsenal legend is widely viewed as the greatest striker the Premier League has ever seen and one of the absolute best in the history of the game.
However, much like Henry, during his time in the Premier League, Haaland has also cemented his reputation as the best number nine in the league bar none.
Regardless, the two-time Premier League winner should pat himself on the back after having yet another day to remember in English football and aim to score more hat-tricks this season.
Considering the way he has started the season, it would be unwise to rule Haaland’s chances out in levelling or even surpassing Sergio Aguero’s tally of 12 this campaign itself.
