21yo former Gunner scores hat-trick against RB Salzburg | OneFootball

Former Arsenal striker Mika Biereth scored a hat-trick against RB Salzburg on Sunday to keep his strong start to the season going.

GRAZ, AUSTRIA: Mika Biereth of SK Sturm Graz runs with the ball under pressure from Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge KV during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between SK Sturm Graz and Club Brugge KV at Worthersee Stadion on October 02, 2024. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

Arsenal academy striker Mika Biereth completed a permanent exit to Sturm Graz over the summer, having spent last season on loan with the same club winning the league and cup double.

The 21-year-old has picked up where he left off this season so far, and he scored a hat-trick against last year’s runners-up RB Salzburg at the weekend.

Those three goals in a shock 5-0 win put him on eight for the season so far with his new club.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Mika Biereth with Arsenal celebrating after he scored his team’s second goal during the Papa John’s Trophy match between Arsenal U21 and Chelsea U21 at Emirates Stadium on January 11, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Biereth’s first goal of the day (Sturm’s second) was a little debatable, as his header came off the post and hit the goalkeeper before going into the net.

The finish may ultimately go down as an own goal, Emi-Martinez style, but for now it’s been credited to Biereth.

The second was indisputable, with Biereth spinning on the ball outside the penalty area before driving in a low shot at the near post.

Biereth then fired home from close range from a cross to the far post for 4-0, with Emanuel Aiwu adding a fifth later in the game. The highlights are available here.

Mika Biereth celebrates winning the OFB Cup (Photo via Biereth on Instagram)

Biereth now has seven goals and an assist in nine league appearances in 2024/25, as well as scoring once in two games in the Austrian Cup.

Sturm sit top of the league two months in, and they’re into the third round of the cup, so another domestic double could be on the cards.

Rapid Wien are proving the toughest opponent in the league so far, sitting just one point behind Sturm having beaten them on the opening day of the season.

The only competition where Biereth is yet to get off the mark is the Champions League, with Sturm losing both of their European matches so far. He’ll want to change that in their next game against Sporting CP on October 22nd.