Even in the early stages of this season’s Premier League title race, things are already heating up. Manchester City pursue their fifth consecutive league title, but with Arsenal hot on their heels, the 2-2 between the two favorites for the league was a tasty affair at the Etihad Stadium and kept the Premier League betting markets interested until the end.
City are expected to win the league, but Arsenal have runthem close for the last two seasons. That said, Erling Haaland was quick to remind Mikel Arteta to ‘stay humble’ after he scored the opener to hit double figures in the Premier League already this season.
Haaland’s importance to Manchester City cannot be overstated. Since joining the club in 2022 from Borussia Dortmund, he has been a goal-scoring machine.
The Norwegian reached 100 goals in all competitions for City in just 105 games, and with his current Premier League tally, it seems only a matter of time before he reaches that centurymilestone in the league as well and could easily smash the current record.
This feat would place him among elite company, as the Premier League has seen only a handful of players reach 100 goals so quickly. Let’s take a look at the strikers who have hit this milestone in record time.
Alan Shearer – 124 Appearances
Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer, hit 100 goals in just 124 games during his prolific spell with Blackburn Rovers, who were crowned league champions during Shearer’s spell at Ewood Park.
Known for his power, finishing, and aerial ability, Shearer remains the benchmark for all Premier League forwards, and he could easily have hit more had he not suffered recurring ACL injuries at the peak of his powers.
Harry Kane – 141 Appearances
Bayern Munich talisman Harry Kane took 141 matches to reach 100 goals while playing for boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur.
The England captain’s clinical nature in front of goal, combined with his vision and link-up play, helped him compete for the title twice under Maurico Pochettino, and also reach a Champions League final.
However, not wanting to wait through another transitional phase, Kane swapped north London for Bavaria in 2023, finishing as the Bundesliga’s top scorer last season – hitting 53 goals in his first 50 games.
Sergio Aguero – 147 Appearances
Manchester City legend Sergio Agüero was known for his lethal goal-scoring ability. The Argentine hit 100 Premier League goals in 147 games, despite suffering with injuries,and remains one of the greatest forwards to grace English football.
Aguero famously clinched City’s first Premier League title in 2012 with a last-gasp goal against Queens Park Rangers and would go on to win four more before his departure in 2021.
Thierry Henry – 160 Appearances
Arsenal icon Thierry Henry reached the 100-goal mark in 160 matches, with his most lethal season coming in 2003/04 when he scored 30 goals to guide Arsenal to an unbeaten campaign, famously known as “The Invincibles.”
The French forward’s incredible pace, finesse, and creative flair made him the driving force behind Arsenal’s success, with his ability to score spectacular goals or provide assists cementing his legacy as perhaps the Premier League’s greatest overseas player.
Mohamed Salah – 162 Appearances
Liverpool’s Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah, reached the 100-goal mark in 162 games, with his best season coming in 2017/18 when he netted 32 goals, at the time breaking the record for the most goals in a 38-game Premier League season.
Salah’s remarkable ability to cut inside from the right wing and finish with precision made him a vital cog in Liverpool’s attack, now reinventing himself as a creative playmaker rather than a direct winger under Arne Slot.
