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MANCHESTER, England: Erling Haaland has warned opponents that he has not yet reached his best despite displaying an incredible scoring record with Manchester City.

The Norwegian striker, who will face his former club, Borussia Dortmund, in the Champions League early Thursday morning, has scored 26 goals in 16 matches for club and country this season.

Former England striker Alan Shearer previously said Haaland has the potential to break his all-time Premier League (EPL) record of 260 goals, if he stays in England for a long time.

But when asked at today’s pre-match press conference whether he could beat his single-season goalscoring record, Haaland replied simply: “Not to sound arrogant, but which record?”

The reporter then explained that the question referred to the 52 goals he scored in the 2022-23 season, when City won the treble – the Champions League, EPL and FA Cup.

That season, Haaland, who is 1.95 meters tall, also made history with 36 EPL goals, the highest record in a single season.

However, Haaland insists he doesn’t think too much about personal numbers.

“I can’t think about the records I can break. That’s the last thing on my mind.

“I just want to help the team win the match. That’s my main job and focus.”

“I know this answer may sound boring, but that’s the truth,” he said.

In a confident tone, Haaland also warned that he could still get better, including improving his heading ability.

“I believe every player can continue to get better. I’m still training for that and you can see the improvement. But I still have a long way to go,” he said.

Haaland, who became a father last year, also admitted that he still has the same spirit as when he was a child in Bryne, Norway.

“I’m still the same kid in many ways, just now with more life experience,” he said.

LONDON: Max Dowman made new history at Arsenal when he became the youngest player to start a match for the club after being named in Mikel Arteta’s starting line-up against Brighton in the League Cup.

At 15 years and 302 days old, the midfielder also became the youngest player to start a match in any competition for a Premier League club.

When Dowman made his professional debut as a substitute against Leeds last September at the age of 15 years and 235 days, he became the second-youngest player in Premier League history – behind Arsenal teammate Ethan Nwaneri, who made his debut at 15 years and 181 days.

But now Dowman holds a new Arsenal record, eclipsing the previous record held by goalkeeper Jack Porter who played at the age of 16 years and 72 days in last season’s 5-1 win over Bolton in the League Cup – a match that also saw Nwaneri score his first senior goal. Dowman broke the record by a margin of 135 days.

On Tuesday, Arsenal manager Arteta said he needed to be careful in using Dowman, who has been training with the first-team squad since last year, but admitted the youngster’s talent was too great to ignore.

“We need to control his training load. He’s only 15 years old, still growing, and there are many things that need to be taken care of so that he can develop properly.

“If you look at his passport every day, we wouldn’t let him go. But when you see what he shows in training, you have to play him, otherwise you’re blind.”

“So we need to find a balance, understand the situation, control the load and make sure that when he is brought on, he is in the right context with the right players so that he can adapt.

“So far he has done well, very well,” said Arteta.

Dowman has agreed to sign a scholarship contract with Arsenal at the end of this season but cannot sign a professional contract until December 31, 2026 – his 17th birthday.

The situation means he could potentially leave the club after that date, but Arteta is confident his young star will stay.

“I didn’t think too much about it because everything I heard from the player and his family was very positive.

“My feeling, honestly, is that he really loves this club. He’s a big Arsenal fan and his family is also happy with the way we’ve coached him.

“Hopefully he will continue to be with us for a long time,” he said.

LONDON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his team’s fighting spirit after recording a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, which he described as the most valuable achievement of the season.

“Yes, I think this win means more than any other win this season,” Arteta told reporters.

“After playing every three days – we just beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and play Brighton in the League Cup on Wednesday – we are up against one of the most organised teams. If we lose focus a little bit, they can punish us.

“It’s a big win. We know how difficult this match is.”

A stunning free kick by Eberechi Eze against his former club ensured Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the English Premier League (EPL) to four points.

But Arteta refused to get carried away with talk of the championship.

“It’s still too early, we’re only in October,” he said.

“Emotions are high right now but there are still many things that need to be improved. We need to recover quickly for Wednesday’s action.”

The defeats of Manchester City and Liverpool this weekend also helped Arsenal move further apart.

“It shows how difficult this league is,” said Arteta.

“Players are not allowed to use phones, so I hope they don’t know the other team’s results.”

“We’re where we should be. It’s the result of our consistent effort, but it doesn’t mean anything other than it shows we’re doing a lot of things right.”

The winning goal from a set piece situation once again highlighted Arsenal’s tactical strength, they have now recorded 11 goals from free kicks or corners, the highest in the league.

“We see big changes, new methods that are more effective,” Arteta explained.

“When you can control space better, you have to find different ways to score goals.”

Arteta also praised Eze’s composure and exceptional touch which clearly meant a lot to the player against his former club.

“He was very calm before the game. He had great respect and appreciation for his old club. The technique he showed for that goal was amazing. We need something special to beat a team as organised as them,” he said.

LONDON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Viktor Gyokeres’ sharpness after the Swedish striker ended a nine-match goalless streak with two goals in a 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid early this morning.

Gyokeres, who was signed from Sporting for £64 million, scored Arsenal’s third and fourth goals to end his long wait in front of goal and maintain the Gunners’ perfect start to this season’s Champions League campaign.

The 27-year-old smiled contently as he was taken off at the end of the match, receiving a standing ovation from Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium.

“I think he deserves the honour because of his contribution to the team in many ways, even though he hasn’t scored a goal before,” Arteta told reporters.

“There’s no doubt about his value to the team. We just want him to stay confident, calm and play freely. When I see the reactions of his teammates, they’re all clearly happy for him.”

Gyokeres’ first goal came by accident when his weak shot was hit by a defender before rolling into the goal, while the second goal was completed as a result of a corner kick situation after Gabriel’s header fell right at his feet.

“He’s made us a much better team. We’re more unpredictable now. His physicality is incredible, the way he presses, holds the ball and helps the attack, it’s all phenomenal,” said Arteta.

“He scored two different goals today and hopefully this will be the start of a good scoring streak for him.”

Gyokeres has now collected five goals this season, including three in the Premier League, and admits he is relieved to finally find the finishing touch.

“(It’s rewarding) for the team, but of course for me too,” he said.

“I always give my best, work hard and help the team in other ways. Sooner or later the goal will come.”