Mueez Ajao
– Erling Haaland is a doubt for Manchester City’s top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal on Wednesday, Pep Guadiola said, after the striker was forced off with an injury during the 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.
– Haaland was substituted at half-time and Guardiola says the Norway international will be assessed ahead of the trip to the Emirates after taking a knock to his leg.
– Victory over Arsenal will see City leapfrog Mikel Arteta’s side at the top after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford on Saturday.
Also Read: Man City beat Aston Villa to close gap on leaders Arsenal
– “Erling has a kick and we will see in the next days how he will do,” Guardiola told a news conference on Sunday.
– “At halftime I spoke with the doctors and they said maybe don’t take risks at 3-0 up and I agree with the doctors. Maybe if it was more tight then I don’t do it.
– “I think it is not injured but tomorrow [Monday] we will see. Maybe [he can play] Wednesday but if there is some risks he is not going to play.”
– Guardiola has been critical of his team since the turn of the year, particularly after games home and away against Tottenham Hotspur.
– But the City boss revealed he has sensed a change in his squad on the training pitch and believes his players are “focused” on the title race.
– “The way we are behaving in the training sessions, we improve a lot,” he said. “Everyone is so focused. We play a really good game [against Villa].
– “In general, a very good game. I’m happy with that and the team, it was important to take this opportunity to reduce the gap [with Arsenal].”
– Guardiola also revealed he is planning to speak to Haaland, Rodri and Riyad Mahrez after there appeared to be a disagreement on the pitch about who should take a penalty against Villa late in the first half.
– Haaland is the designated taker but Rodri became involved in a decision to hand the ball to Mahrez, who scored to put City 3-0 up.
– “I don’t know, I need to talk to them,” Guardiola said. “Normally Erling [Haaland] is the first taker and Riyad [Mahrez] is the second one, Rodri was involved so we will see what they say tomorrow.”
