The numbers are insane for Erling Haaland, says Pep Guardiola

LONDON – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has once again backed the “insane” Erling Haaland to reach the heights attained by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as he prepares for his side’s Champions League clash at Monaco on Oct 1.

Despite a relatively poor start to the season, City are now seeking a fifth win from six matches in all competitions when they visit the Stade Louis II.

Guardiola’s men beat Kevin de Bruyne’s Napoli 2-0 in their first European fixture this campaign, while Monaco were beaten 4-1 by Club Brugge away from home.

City are heading into this match following a

5-1 win over Burnley

last weekend, when Haaland netted two goals. The 25-year-old now has an astonishing 14 goals in just eight games for club and country this season.

In total, he has 133 goals in 155 games in all competitions since joining City in 2022.

When asked if there was anyone as prolific as the Norwegian, Guardiola said: “Messi, maybe. And at his age, maybe the numbers are better. But yeah, in terms of goals, Messi, Harry Kane, (Robert) Lewandowski...

“You know, these kind of guys. Messi and Cristiano have been doing it for 15, 20 years. Every season.

“But Erling is still young. And he’s at that level in terms of goals. Erling, the numbers are insane. We joke, but really it is incredible.”

City have lost only three times in their last 21 league-phase/group-stage games of the Champions League, while they have also found the net in 28 of their previous 30 matches in any Uefa competition.

Scoring goals should not be a major issue, especially with Haaland in form.

Their two-goal win over Napoli was one of four convincing victories that City have claimed during a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

The other three are a

3-0 win over rivals Manchester United

, a 2-0 triumph over Huddersfield in the League Cup and the 5-1 thumping of Burnley.

A

1-1 draw with Arsenal

was the only blemish and, while City fans can take confidence in the team’s recent form, Guardiola would also be wary that his team are on a four-game losing streak in Champions League matches on the road.

City’s English Premier League title rivals Arsenal, meanwhile, host Olympiakos on Oct 1.

The Gunners started their European campaign with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, while their Greek opponents had to settle for a 0-0 draw with tournament debutants Pafos of Cyprus.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are boosted by a

2-1 win over Newcastle United

last weekend, as Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all dropped points. They are now just two points behind leaders Liverpool in the English top flight.

The Champions League is Arteta’s next focus and recent history suggests he has little to worry about.

His team have won their last 13 league-phase/group-stage home matches in Europe, including 10 in a row without conceding a goal.

Arteta will also be buoyed by William Saliba committing his future to the team by signing a new long-term contract, following reports that Real Madrid had shown interest in the centre-back.

Saliba, 24, has formed a formidable partnership with Brazilian Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of the Arsenal defence, making 140 appearances in all competitions since his 2019 move from French club St Etienne.

The France international’s new contract will run until 2030, British media reported. REUTERS