Pep Guardiola has issued an injury update on Erling Haaland after the Manchester City striker was unexpectedly taken off at half-time in Sunday’s 3-1 win against Aston Villa.
Speaking to the press via TalkSport, the Premier League manager revealed that Haaland was taken off as a precaution ahead of Wednesday’s massive clash against Arsenal, with City already leading Villa 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium when the half-time whistle was blown.
Pep Guardiola shares Erling Haaland injury update ahead of Arsenal v Manchester City
Guardiola said when asked about Haaland’s fitness: “We will assess him in the next few days to see how severe it is. At half-time I spoke with the doctors to see and they said maybe at 3-0 we don’t need to take a risk and I agreed with the doctors.
“If the score was more tight maybe I wouldn’t do it. I think he’s not injured but tomorrow we will see. Hopefully he can play there on Wednesday. If he’s not ready or it’s a risk he’s not going to play.”
Whilst BBC Sport have reported that Haaland is a potential doubt, it seems like the 22-year-old forward was taken off as only a precaution for Guardiola, who want his star striker fit and firing for Wednesday’s trip to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Manchester City will be hoping for positive injury news this week
Haaland has been a force of nature for City this season with the Norwegian international breaking numerous goalscoring records in just over six months in England. And Guardiola will be hopeful that the attacker is available to face Arsenal later this week.
Whilst the Gunners were able to keep the striker quiet earlier in the season in the FA Cup, Haaland will be fired up to cause Arsenal some massive damage in north London, and the attacker’s fitness and participation in the match could define the entire fixture and the Premier League title race.
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