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September 13, 2024

Man City Forward Erling Haaland Aims for Unprecedented Premier League Hat-Trick Record – EPL

Erling Haaland has the chance to make history as the first player in Premier League history to net three consecutive hat-tricks when Manchester City takes on Brentford.

Credit to English Premier League Image Gallery

A depleted Arsenal faces a crucial test to demonstrate their Premier League title ambitions as they go up against their rivals Tottenham in what is expected to be a fiercely contested North London derby. With several key players sidelined due to injuries, the Gunners are pressured to deliver a strong performance and assert their competitiveness in the league. On the other hand, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag urgently needs a decisive showing from his squad at Southampton. After facing criticism from club legend Cristiano Ronaldo, securing a win would be instrumental in silencing the doubts and concerns surrounding Ten Hag’s leadership abilities. As the English top flight resumes following the international break, here is a closer look at the standout matches to watch this weekend.

Arsenal have already exhibited signs of struggling in the title race, trailing two points behind Manchester City and Liverpool. This early setback raises concerns about their ability to maintain momentum as they compete for the championship. The pressure is mounting, and with the season still in its early stages, every match becomes crucial in their quest to close the gap on their rivals. Fans and analysts alike are keenly watching to see if the Gunners can regroup and regain their form to challenge for the top spot in the Premier League.

The Gunners drew 1-1 at home against Brighton in their last match, a game in which Declan Rice received a questionable red card early in the second half.

As a result, Rice is suspended for Sunday’s North London derby, adding to Mikel Arteta’s injury concerns.

Captain Martin Odegaard is anticipated to be sidelined for three weeks due to an ankle injury sustained while on international duty with Norway.

New acquisition Mikel Merino is also unavailable for the Arsenal midfield due to a shoulder injury.

On Thursday, Arsenal received some positive news when Arteta signed a new three-year contract.

“Together with the players and everyone at the club, we are looking forward to the coming years, with our supporters, who have emotionally transformed the club and the team,” said the Spaniard.

Arteta has guided Arsenal to second-place finishes in the last two seasons, but he now needs to devise a strategic plan to prevent his team from facing an uphill battle in the title race right from the start.

A visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium marks the beginning of a challenging stretch, with three difficult away matches scheduled within just eight days.

Arsenal will take on Europa League champions Atalanta on Thursday in the Champions League, followed by a clash against Manchester City.

Ten Hag Urges for Patience

Just three matches into the new Premier League season, Erik ten Hag is under pressure again following back-to-back defeats for Manchester United.

A 3-0 thrashing by Liverpool, following a 2-1 defeat to Brighton, raises doubts about whether the Red Devils have made significant strides since their eighth-place finish last season.

“We will see where we are in May. It is very early in the season and it is about winning trophies (and) being as high as possible in the league,” Ten Hag said on Thursday.

“It (noise around the club) doesn’t impact me – I know in the process where we are. We have to integrate a lot of young players in the team.”

United travel to newly promoted Southampton on Saturday afternoon, aiming to prevent their first stretch of three consecutive league defeats since December 2015

The Saints have not earned a point from their first three matches since returning to the top flight.

Haaland’s Quest for Hat-Trick History?

Erling Haaland has begun the season formidablely for anyone looking to challenge City’s dominance following Pep Guardiola’s four consecutive titles.

The Norwegian has notched consecutive hat-tricks against Ipswich and West Ham, following a goal in the opening weekend victory over Chelsea. 

With eight hat-tricks in just 69 Premier League matches, Haaland joins a select group of six players who have scored in back-to-back games. 

However, no one has managed to achieve three in a row, and the upcoming match against Brentford at the Etihad presents the prolific 24-year-old with an opportunity to make even more scoring history.