%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Will Erling Haaland be fit to play against Arsenal on Wednesday?
On this occasion, Manchester City didn’t blink.
Arsenal once again faltered, this time drawing at home to Brentford, and City blitzed beyond Aston Villa to cut the Gunners’ lead at the top of the Premier League to just three points. Victory at the Emirates on Sunday and many will suggest nature is healing with Pep Guardiola’s side returning to the summit.
How quickly things can change, eh?
It wasn’t all rosy for the Sky Blues on Sunday, however. Superstar forward Erling Haaland, who teed up Ilkay Gundogan for City’s second, was forced off with a knock which has thrust his status for Wednesday’s clash at the Emirates into doubt.
What injury has Erling Haaland picked up?
Haaland has merely sustained a knock to his right thigh and was taken off at half-time against Villa as a precaution.
What has Pep Guardiola said?
"If he's not ready or some risk, he's not going to play." 🗣️
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) February 13, 2023
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wasn't going to risk Erling Haaland in the second half against Aston Villa and won't against Arsenal if Haaland isn't ready ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/PJamAwtTY0
When asked about Haaland on Sunday evening, Guardiola said: “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.”
Will he play against Arsenal on Wednesday?
Haaland’s injury almost certainly isn’t serious and I would be stunned if he isn’t in the starting XI on Wednesday. While the severity of his knock is unknown, Guardiola admitted that he only took his forward off because City had such a comfortable lead.
If Haaland isn’t deemed fit to start, he will almost certainly be replaced in the XI by Julian Alvarez. Perhaps Phil Foden could come back into the fray as a false nine?