In top leagues since 2000
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Manchester City fought to a 2-2 (1-2) draw against Arsenal FC in the top Premier League match on Sunday evening, literally at the last minute. John Stones (30) scored for the hosts in the eighth minute of stoppage time shortly before the final whistle, but the focus was once again on Erling Haaland (24). “Imagine how it would have looked today without Erling… it would have been impossible,” said coach Pep Guardiola. The striker had put the Skyblues in the lead early on, it was the 100th goal in a City jersey – in only 105th game.
Haaland equalled the record set by Cristiano Ronaldo (39), who cracked the 100-goal mark in just over two years and 105 appearances for Real Madrid from 2009. In the 21st century, twelve strikers managed this feat for a club from the top five leagues in under 150 games. In the Bundesliga, only Robert Lewandowski (36) managed this, scoring his 100th goal in 136 appearances after his free transfer to FC Bayern in 2014.
Lewandowski is one of seven players who have reached the 100-goal mark for several clubs. Before his time in Munich, he managed it in 182 games for BVB. Mario Gómez (39) also managed this from the Bundesliga, who needed 188 games for VfB Stuttgart and only 157 games for Bayern, as well as Claudio Pizarro (45), who, however, was quicker at Werder with 172 games than at the record champions with 256 games.
Outside Germany, among the almost 100 players who have cracked the 100-goal mark for a club, Edinson Cavani (37; for Napoli and PSG), Neymar (32; for PSG and Barça) and Sergio Agüero (36; for Man City and Atlético) are represented twice, while Ronaldo is once again the measure of all things. The Portugal star achieved the feat for three clubs: In addition to the Royal, he played 131 games for Juventus, fifth in the ranking, and 253 games for Man United (68th place).
Lionel Messi (37) is, for once, not among the top of this goal statistic. The six-time World Footballer played 188 times for FC Barcelona before he reached 100 goals at the age of 22. The eight-time World Footballer shares 35th place with Gómez.
Also thanks to Haaland: Manchester City with late draw against Arsenal
Haaland’s 100th goal in the 9th minute against Arsenal helped Man City defend their lead in the table. Riccardo Calafiori (22; 22nd minute) and Gabriel Magalhães (26; 45th+1) turned the game in the visitors’ favour shortly before half-time in a turbulent first half. Shortly afterwards, Leandro Trossard (29) received his second yellow card for the still undefeated Londoners and was sent off.
Man City took control of the game in the second half, but despite having the advantage in numbers, they were unable to find a way to counter the defensively strong Gunners. In the last minutes of regular time, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya (29) parried a shot by former Leipzig player Josko Gvardiol (22) with a brilliant save. And then substitute Stones struck.
In the past two seasons, Man City, coached by Guardiola, and Arsenal, coached by his former assistant Mikel Arteta, have been in a close race for the championship, with the Sky Blues coming out on top in both seasons. Last season, Arteta’s team were just two points away from the title. “Overall, it was an entertaining game that I would have preferred to win, but OK, I’ll take the point,” said Guardiola.
