Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was unable to provide an update on Erling Braut Haaland's fitness when speaking to the press ahead of Wednesday's Premier League showdown with Arsenal.
Haaland was taken off at half time in City's 3-1 victory at home against Aston Villa on Sunday after sustaining what was described as a "big knock" by Guardiola after the game.
"He has a big knock. He was uncomfortable," Guardiola told reporters. "At 3-0 we did not want to take a risk. We will see. We will assess in the next day.
"If he is not available, we will play another one. Hopefully he is available. We will see in the next days."
The Citizens were handed a major boost on Monday, though, after Haaland was spotted taking part in a recovery session with his teammates at City Football Academy.
Ruben Dias and Phil Foden were also involved in team training having only recently returned to the first-team fold following spells out with respective hamstring and illness issues, while John Stones remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Who's this then? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/S9Ld2EuXPV
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 13, 2023
When specifically asked about Haaland's condition, Guardiola was unable to confirm whether the striker would be fit to feature against league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
"We train this afternoon. Right now I don't know. Yesterday was about recovery from Aston Villa. That's all," Guardiola told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.
Since scoring his fourth hat-trick of the season in the 3-0 Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of last month – taking his goal tally in all tournaments to 31 – Haaland has endured a dry patch in front of goal as he has failed to score in his last three matches, albeit playing only 45 minutes in his most recent outing.
City will be hopeful of seeing their Norwegian No.9 named on the teamsheet come Wednesday night, but Julian Alvarez will be waiting in the wings if needed.
Guardiola's side head to North London sitting three points behind leaders Arsenal, who have dropped points in their last two league fixtures against Everton and Brentford.
The Citizens secured a slender 1-0 win over the Gunners in the FA Cup fourth round earlier this year, and Guardiola has urged his players to be "ready" for another "big battle" against Mikel Arteta's side.
© Reuters
"So far they are the best team in the Premier League. We felt it a couple of weeks ago," Guardiola added. "The commitment, they are sharp. It will be a big, big battle. In the departments, you have to be ready."
Guardiola has acknowledged the importance of Wednesday's contest, but he does not believe it will decide the Premier League title race, adding: "I do not truly believe one week ago we are out of form and now we're back in form. Every game is different, you can play good and win and everything is perfect but tomorrow you could lose. Many games to play. Tomorrow is an important one, everyone knows it, and we'll try to do our best.
"[The Arsenal game is] important because we can take the points and the best team so far [may] not. But after Nottingham Forest, we have Champions League, [five] games away. I have a feeling many things can happen.
"Tomorrow can help us be there (in the title race) but there are many games, tough games. We cannot deny it's important to prove ourselves, handle the many aspects."
Man City, who have won their last 10 Premier League meetings against Arsenal, are aware that a victory at the Emirates will see them leapfrog the Gunners at the top of the table courtesy of goal difference, although Arteta's side could return to the summit if they were to win their game in hand.
No Data Analysis info
