Erling Haaland was substituted at half-time during Manchester City’s win over Aston Villa on Sunday with a thigh injury, just days before the huge meeting with title rivals Arsenal
Manchester City have been left sweating over the fitness of Erling Haaland ahead of their crunch title clash with Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The Norwegian striker was forced off with a thigh injury at half-time of City’s comfortable 3-1 win over Aston Villa at the Etihad on Sunday, leaving just days for him to recover. Haaland has faced some scrutiny over his recent performances but was on good form against Villa and set up City’s second goal, scored by Ilkay Gundogan.
But after being withdrawn at the break with City 3-0 up, boss Pep Guardiola was asked post-match about whether Haaland would be fit to face Arsenal on Wednesday and admitted: “I don’t know, he had a big knock and didn’t feel too comfortable. The physio didn’t want to take the risk.
“If he’s not ready we [will] play another one. Hopefully he is ready like everyone but we will see.”
World Cup winner Julian Alvarez came on to replace Haaland for the second half and would be the likely alternative were his teammate unable to recover in time to feature against Arsenal. Rodri had already given City the lead after just four minutes with a header from a corner, before Haaland made his mark.
The striker raced past Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez onto a loose ball following a pass from Kevin De Bruyne, but opted against shooting from a tight angle, instead checking back onto his right foot before drilling a cross low to the back post where Gundogan was waiting for an easy finish.
Jack Grealish then won a slightly dubious penalty against his former club on the stroke of half-time. Four City players stood around the penalty spot debating over who should take the kick, with Riyad Mahrez eventually winning the honour ahead of Haaland and Rodri, seemingly on captain Gundogan’s say so.
Mahrez dispatched the kick to give City a solid three-goal cushion heading into half-time, but Guardiola revealed after the match that the Algerian was not the designated taker. “I like when people want to take penalties but always there is one that is the main one and that is Erling,” the City boss explained.
“I need to talk to them. Normally Erling is first taker. Riyad is the second one. Erling was involved. I saw it from the touchline, we will see what they say tomorrow.”
Ollie Watkins added a consolation for Villa in the second half, but City’s win sees them close the gap on Arsenal to three points ahead of Wednesday’s fixture, though the Gunners do still have a game in hand.
SOURCE: dailystar.co.uk
