Arsenal have been handed a huge Premier League title race boost after Manchester City star Erling Haaland has withdrawn from Norway's squad with a groin injury. The 22-year-old striker has scored a whopping 42 goals in just 37 appearances in all competitions this season for Pep Guardiola's side.
City signed the Norwegian superstar from Borussia Dortmund in a £51million deal last summer and he has had an instant impact at the Etihad Stadium. Haaland is currently leading the golden boot race with 28 goals in just 26 games for the reigning Premier League champions.
Arsenal find themselves heading into the international break with an eight point advantage over City, despite Guardiola's side having a game in hand on the Gunners. Whilst Haaland dominates the goal scoring for City, Arsenal's attackers have shared the goals this season with Gabriel Martinelli (13), Bukayo Saka (12) and Martin Odegaard (10) all tallying double figures.
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The Norwegian FA confirmed that Haaland has been withdrawn from the squad for the upcoming friendlies against Spain and Georgia due to a groin problem. A statement from the Norwegian Football Federation read: "Erling Braut Haaland had some pain in his groin after the match against Burnley.
"We hoped that this was just a familiarity that would carry over to Saturday. After doing tests and examinations yesterday it became clear that he will not make it to the games against Spain and Georgia.
"It is better that he receives medical follow-up at the club", says national team doctor Ola Sand.
"Haaland thus travels home from the national team meeting. Erling took it hard when he realized that he could not fight for the team.
"Fortunately, there is still plenty of self-confidence, talent and cohesion in this group to win points in the next matches." Norway manager Stale Solbakken added: "We are not going to hang on one millimeter, but continue our work to be maximally prepared for Saturday and Tuesday."
It remains to be seen how long Haaland is out for with this groin problem, but he could be absent for City's crucial game against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, April 1. This could see Guardiola's side drop points without their main goal threat in the team and potentially see Arsenal move even further ahead at the top of the table as they chase down a first Premier League title since 2004.
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