Erling Haaland has travelled with the rest of the Manchester City squad for their key Premier League showdown with Arsenal despite major doubts over his fitness.
The Norwegian striker was withdrawn at half-time during Pep Guardiola’s side’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa after sustaining a knock to his ankle. Guardiola revealed after the full-time whistle that his substitution was a precaution - particularly with their crucial showdown with the Gunners to come only a few days later.
"He had a big knock, he was uncomfortable,” Guardiola said. “We didn't want to take a risk and we will assess the next days how he does."
Even ahead of Wednesday’s clash at the Emirates, the Man City boss remained unsure over whether he would be able to call on his first-choice striker for the title showdown. Speaking in his press conference, he said: “We train this afternoon [Tuesday]. Right now I don’t know [if Haaland would be fit].
“Yesterday was about recovery from Aston Villa. That’s all.”
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Whilst it remains to be seen if the former Borussia Dortmund hitman will be fit to play, City have been handed a huge boost in the fact that he has travelled with the rest of the squad to London. He has joined his teammates on the train down to the capital ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
Should he play then Haaland will be keen to improve his already electric Premier League record. The 22-year-old has 25 goals from just 21 league games in what has been a stunning debut season for City.
He has not scored in his last two league outings, though, and another blank would represent his longest run without a goal in the league since April last year - that being a five-match run without finding the back of the net for Dortmund. Ahead of Man City’s showdown with Arsenal, there have been claims that Haaland makes his side worse but that theory has very quickly been rejected by former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
Speaking to beIN Sport, the Frenchman said: “Poor is maybe a big word. He makes Manchester City a different team.
“A different team, why? Because now with Haaland they win the ball a little less quickly back and when they win the ball they go more quickly to find him.
“Before they were a bit more patient interchanging and the combination game was maybe more patient and shorter and technically different. Today, they rely more on crosses on direct play with Haaland. We speak about City, you could have the same conversation with Liverpool.”
The showdown at the Emirates represents a key match and could go a long way in deciding the destination of the Premier League title come the end of the campaign. A win for Arsenal would see them extend their advantage at the top of the table to six points with a game in-hand.
Meanwhile, Guardiola’s side would go above their opponents with victory against his former apprentice Mikel Arteta. Away from Haaland, City will be without the services of defender John Stones after he picked up a thigh injury.
Arsenal are dealing with a lengthy injury list of their own with Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe and Mohamed Elneny all remaining restricted to the sidelines.
