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'Best striker to ever play in EPL' - Fans react as Erling Haaland’s late goal earned Manchester City 4-1 victory over Arsenal

Erling Haaland's late goal helped Manchester City to secure a 4-1 victory over the table toppers' Arsenal, lowering their deficit with them.

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Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland (Source: Twitter)

Erling Haaland Erling Haaland (Source: Twitter)

With his late strike against Arsenal on Wednesday, April 26, Manchester City goal-machine Erling Haaland became the first player to score 33 goals in a 38-game Premier League season. The Norwegian sensation also broke Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah's record of 32 goals in the 2017/18 season. A strong showing by Haaland and his teammates secured them a 4-1 victory over the table toppers' Arsenal, lowering their deficit with them.

City is on a roll in the tournament, having won their previous five games, whereas Arsenal has only won one of their last five. Having played two games less than the Gunners, the defending champions now sit just two points behind in second place and have every chance of claiming another trophy.

Kevin De Bruyne gave City an early lead in the seventh minute before England international John Stones made it 2-0 in first-half injury time. Midfielder De Bruyne netted his second of the night and gave his side another lead in the 54th minute. Arsenal centre-back Rob Holding gave the visitors some breathing room in the 86th minute, but Haaland scored in injury time to give the hosts a three-goal thumping victory.

Another Premier League record awaits Haaland

Haaland just needs two more goals to break another record for the most goals in an entire Premier League era. The feat is currently shared by former Manchester United striker Andrew Cole and ex-English footballer Alan Shearer, who scored 34 in 1993/94 and 1994/95, respectively, when the season had 42 matches. With seven games left for Haaland this season, registering this record will be a cakewalk for the Norway international.

The 22-year-old has now scored 49 goals across competitions for City this season. This is the most of any player at a Premier League club across all competitions, surpassing Ruud van Nistelrooy's 44 in 2002/03. Haaland is also the leading scorer in this year’s Champions League, having hit 11 goals in seven appearances.

"When you look at the numbers, there is no comparison with anybody else. He is able to produce that as well because the set-up is done in the right way for him. Even with him, they have the capacity to play in a different way," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Haaland before the defeat against City.

Here's how fans reacted: 

 

Premier League Manchester City Arsenal