Erling Haaland has proven to be a constant thorn in Arsenal’s side – but he could have agreed to them at the beginning of his career.
According to ex-Gunners Head Scout Brian McDermott, who unveiled that he spoke the striker’s father about bringing the then 17-year-old to North London.
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McDermott is a product of the Arsenal’s Academy and scored 13 goals between 1979 and 1984 in 72 games.
After his retirement from the game [Alfie] used to present.
In 2015, McDermott returned to Arsenal as a chief scout before taking up his role from 2016 to 2020 after a second stay at Reading.
And he immediately identified Haaland as a potential option for arsenal, but unfortunately a change to the Emirates Stadium did not fit into the player’s plans.
While Arsenal never received talks to sign him, McDermott turned to Haaland’s father, who made it clear that they were looking for the first team football.
Haaland would finally leave Bryne 2017 for the Norwegian Association Molde Molde and scored 20 goals in 50 games in 50 games before he came to Red Bull Salzburg in 2019.
Less than 12 months later, he connected to Borussia Dortmund before signing Manchester City in 2022, where he became one of the betting in the world.
In his eight trips against the Gunners, he found the back of the network four times – including his last two appearances.
But if McDermott had had it on his way, Haaland would have planned his trade with red and white.
What did Brian McDermott say about Erling Haaland?
McDermott spoke to Jermaine Pennant from Talksport, who was admitted to it when he was 16 when he was not the best decision for his career because he only made his debut at the age of 21.
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McDermott made it reminiscent of his approach for Haaland, as he said: “I worked for Arsenal for a few years.
“And I saw Haaland play when he was 17 years old and played for his national side.
“The thing with someone like Haaland at that time was obviously talent – 6 feet 3 inches, could run, etc. … everything for him.
“But to bring him to Arsenal at this time at this time, would he have entered the team?
“And I spoke to his father Alfie because I was a manager at Leeds, and so Alfie and I had a bit together.
“Would he have played for Arsenal at that time? Probably not.
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“And his career was totally mapped, they knew exactly where he would go.
“They knew where he would play and how it would be, and it was just about them.
“And sometimes you let a young person go to the arsenal, to Chelsea, whatever.
“As Jermaine said, he made his debut only when he was 21 in Arsenal. And there is her problem.
“It’s all about football in the first team. There are not many Wayne Rooneys in this world.
“There are not many children who can play week after week.”
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Haaland will prove his rivalry with Arsenal in the second Premier League game after the international break.
The two teams meet at the Emirates on September 21. City wants to win her first first -class game against Arsenal since the 2022/23 season.