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.

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