Alf-Inge Haaland
1997-2000 Midfielder
Born: Stavanger, November 23, 1972
Debut: Arsenal (home), Premiership, August 9, 1997
Games: 72 (20)
Goals: 8
A versatile player who could also do a decent job in the centre of defence, Norwegian international Haaland was signed by George Graham from Nottingham Forest for £1.6 million in July 1997. Although never a regular in the first team he was nevertheless a supporters’ favourite — not least for geeing them up while he was warming up as a sub. He further endeared himself to the fans when he famously clashed with Man United’s Roy Keane in a match at Elland Road. Haaland was fouled but Keane was seriously injured. His pride was hurt, too, when Haaland accused him of feigning — and so began a vendetta that Keane continued after Haaland had moved on to Man City (for £2.5 million) in 2000.
Strange but true: Haaland is a big fan of heavy metal music and counts Metallica among his favourites.