Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has steadily improved year after year, culminating in last season’s unexpected title charge, which was narrowly defeated by Manchester City.
Their opponents were far more experienced in such a situation, and it showed in the end, as Pep Guardiola’s team finished five points ahead of Arsenal, before going on to win the FA Cup and the Champions League.
While many factors contributed to Manchester United’s historic season, one of the most important was the club’s decision to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
Erling Haaland has how many goals?
The Norwegian forward had lit up the Bundesliga after a dominant spell in Germany in which he scored 86 goals in 89 games for the club, and his move to the Etihad cemented his rise to the top. Few could have predicted that the 22-year-old would so quickly come to dominate English football.
He finished the season with 52 goals in all competitions, breaking the league scoring record as well as many others.
Guardiola’s switch from no striker to a 6 foot 4 striker was drastic, but it proved to be the difference.
Now, in an effort to emulate such success and replicate the style of his former mentor, Arteta could replicate this by making their rumoured interest in Dusan Vlahovic from this year a reality.
Are Arsenal interested in signing Dusan Vlahovic?
Although his €80 million (£70 million) price tag may put some people off given what the north London club is already set to spend this summer with their various ongoing deals, if he has a similarly revolutionary effect as Haaland, it will be more than worth it.
After all, the Spanish head coach reportedly stated in March that a taller, more aggressive striker was a priority for this summer.
Given his height of 6 feet 3 inches, just one inch shorter than the Citizens’ striker, the Serbia international immediately checks that box.
Not to mention he possesses the same terrifying speed that has made Haaland such a physical marvel, allowing him to pin defenders, bully them in the air, and run them in behind.
Given that he is only 23 years old, the future looks promising for this young finisher to continue his rise to the top of the game.
The left-footed star notched 21 league goals in his true breakout year for Fiorentina, where many took notice of this hulking forward, before earning his move the year after.
Despite moving to Juventus in the middle of the season, he would still score 24 goals in Serie A to add to his growing reputation.
“I thought Vlahovic was just exceptional tonight before Mitrovic came on, surely on the move from Fiorentina in the summer?” said podcaster Tom Rooney in 2021, predicting such a high-profile transfer. Plays with proper bite, makes use of his size, but can also play ball.”
Few players in the world can match the relentless Haaland’s freakish physique, blistering speed, and uncanny ability to find the net on a regular basis.
Perhaps, under Arteta’s tutelage, he can reach new heights and forge a new and enduring rivalry.
