Manchester City’s fears that Erling Haaland will miss the huge Premier League title clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium have been eased. The Norwegian forward has been spotted in training ahead of their trip to north London tomorrow evening.
Haaland was taken off at half-time in City’s 3-1 win against Aston Villa at the weekend with a suspected thigh problem, sparking fears that he may be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Speaking ahead of the clash against the Gunners, Pep Guardiola said: “We train this afternoon.
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“Right now I don’t know [if Haaland will be fit]. Yesterday was about recovery from Aston Villa, that’s all.”
City have now released images from their afternoon training session in which Haaland took part alongside a host of other star players that will offer a significant threat to Arsenal’s defence. John Stones looks set to be the only absentee for Guardiola when City arrive at the Emirates Stadium to try and replace the Gunners at the top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta admitted he believed Guardiola when the City boss revealed his doubts over whether Haaland would be fit enough to play a part against Arsenal. Arteta will have the same options available to him as he did for last weekend’s draw against Brentford after revealing there are no fresh injury concerns in his squad.
Leandro Trossard could replace Gabriel Martinelli in the starting line-up against City following his goal against the Bees, but as ever Arteta was reluctant to offer any hints at his team selection ahead of such a big fixture. Haaland is clearly the most significant attacking threat City have to offer with the 22-year-old having already scored 25 goals in the Premier League in his debut campaign.
Arteta was not solely focusing on the Norwegian striker though, instead viewing the entire team as the main threat to his side. Speaking ahead of the clash on Wednesday night, the Arsenal boss said: “Them as a team [are the biggest threat].
“What they have done in the last six years they absolutely merit it. The way they play, the way they have competed.
“For us the challenge is to get to that level. We need to use that challenge and that energy.
“This is where we want to be. That is the level and we’re getting closer to it.”
Arsenal could extend their lead at the Premier League summit to six points with a win tomorrow night, but a loss would see them drop to second due to City’s superior goal difference tally. Following a weekend of controversial VAR decisions, in which one impacted the Gunners and saw them drop points against Brentford, Arteta will hope the match officials get every decision right at the Emirates Stadium as he aims to return to winning ways.
Source: Football London
