Haaland in danger of missing Arsenal match
Haaland had to leave the field during the break against Aston Villa 3-1 in round 23 on the evening of February 12, due to injury. The striker who is leading the race to be the Premier League's top scorer from 2022 to 2023 is unlikely to recover in time to play in the match against the leading team Arsenal.
"Erling is not comfortable," coach Guardiola admitted after the match at the Etihad Stadium. "When it's 3-0, we don't want to take the risk. We'll check and evaluate in the coming days. I don't think he's seriously injured, but if he's not ready, or has too much to do with it, he's going to have to be very serious. many risks, he will not play against Arsenal."
Man City are currently only three points behind Arsenal. If they win in the upcoming Emirates Stadium match, the defending champion will regain the top spot in the Premier League. The two teams still have the second leg at Etihad on April 26.
Arsenal used to be eight points ahead of Man City, but are showing signs of instability when consecutively losing 0-1 to Everton and drawing with Brentford 1-1. "The important thing is to close the gap with Arsenal," Guardiola insisted.
Yesterday, Man City scored three goals in the first half against Aston Villa. After Rodri's header in the 4th minute and Ilkay Gundogan's close-range ball in the 39th minute, Mahrez took a penalty to make it 3-0. 45+1. Haaland contributed an assist for Man City. Aston Villa removed a goal in the 61st minute, thanks to Ollie Watkins.
After Haaland left the field, Man City did not have any more goals. However, Guardiola rated the second half higher than the first. "The best shots come in the second half," he said. "We adjusted a few things, controlled the ball and put pressure better than the first half. The goal in the 61st minute was a mistake."
In the next five matches in all competitions, Man City must play on the opponent's field. They met Arsenal, Nottingham, Bournemouth in the English Premier League, Bristol in the fifth round of the FA Cup and Leipzig in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Man City won the Premier League in four of the last five seasons. If successfully defending the crown this season, Pep Guardiola's teachers and students will repeat Man Utd's record of winning three consecutive seasons.
