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via Reuters

via Reuters

Erling Haaland has been breaking records and earning widespread praise for his goal-scoring prowess. The Norwegian striker’s lethal performances have earned him the moniker of a ‘machine’, a title bestowed upon him by fans and teammates alike. However, it seems that Haaland’s rival also shares this belief, as Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus recently referred to the young Norwegian with the same name.

The origins of Haaland’s machine nickname can be traced back to 2021 when he was playing for Borussia Dortmund. It was his then-teammate Marco Reus who gave him this title after he scored a brace in a Champions League game against Sevilla. Since then, this label seems to have stuck with the striker, even now at Manchester City.

Gabriel Jesus hints about Erling Haaland

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Recently Arsenal stars Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard sat down in an interview with beIN Sports. During the conversation, they were asked to form their best 5-a-side team consisting of players from outside their current club squad. Jesus, ever the proud Brazilian, came up with the idea of creating a team composed solely of players from his national team.

Martin Odegaard, catching onto the concept, suggested, “Should I do Norway then?” In response, Jesus quipped, “Yeah, of course, you have machines there.” It was an undeniable reference to the Norwegian striker. Odegaard, who recognizes Erling Haaland’s talent, proceeded to include him in his 5-a-side team. There is no denying Erling Haaland’s reputation as a goal-scoring machine. While he was key in last season’s treble-winning campaign, he is also playing a huge role in City’s chase to win their 4th consecutive Premier League title.

Manchester City is in a difficult position to win the Premier League

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Erling Haaland is currently leading the goal-scoring charts in the Premier League, having netted an impressive 14 goals. However, Manchester City’s recent draw against Tottenham has seen them slip down to third place in the standings. At the moment, Liverpool is in second place, while Arsenal sits at the top of the table with a six-point lead.

Dive Deeper: “It Wasn’t An Issue of Erling Haaland”- Manchester City Ace Defended Despite Missing An Easy Goal During 3-3 Draw With Spurs

Even Haaland received criticism for missing some easy chances in the match against Tottenham. However, former soccer players have come to his defense. The Cityzens now find themselves in a position similar to last season, where they had to chase behind Arsenal for the title. It will certainly be intriguing to see if they can come from behind like last year and secure their record-fourth consecutive Premier League triumph.

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