Pep Guardiola has provided an update on Erling Haaland’s fitness after the Manchester City striker was pulled off at halftime during Sunday’s 3-1 win against Aston Villa.

Pep Guardiola has revealed that Erling Haaland was withdrawn at half-time as a precaution after suffering a “big knock” in Manchester City’s crucial 3-1 win over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.

The reigning Premier League champions surged into a three goal lead in the first-half courtesy of goals from Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez, who converted from the penalty spot.

Haaland, City’s top-scorer, grabbed an assist for the second goal of the afternoon but failed to come back out for the second-half and was replaced by Julian Alvarez. It was believed that Haaland may have hurt himself during a collision with Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez – and Guardiola has confirmed that the former Borussia Dortmund man was forced off with a minor issue.

Speaking after Sunday’s match, the Spaniard, who also took Ruben Dias off, told Sky Sports after being quizzed on the changes: “He had a big knock, he was uncomfortable. We didn’t want to take a risk and we will assess the next days how he does.”

Guardiola’s comments mean that Haaland’s status for Wednesday’s crunch showdown with Arsenal is now unclear. The champions are now just three points behind the league leaders and could leapfrog Mikel Arteta’s team with a win. However, Arsenal could receive a major boost if Haaland, the Premier League’s leading goalscorer, is ruled out of the midweek showdown.

But Guardiola did admit that the fact Manchester City were 3-0 up and cruising did influence the decision. He added: “If the result was more tight then maybe I don’t do it. I don’t think he’s injured but tomorrow we will see. Hopefully he can be in for Wednesday, if it is a risk or he is not ready he’s not going to play.”

Shortly before his withdrawal, Haaland was involved in an animated on-field discussion after Manchester City were awarded a penalty. Mahrez, who dispatched the spot-kick, has been City’s regular penalty taker, but has missed several penalties while Haaland has scored four times from the spot himself this term.

Pep Guardiola has given an update on Erling Haaland after he was withdrawn at half-time on Sunday ( Image: Football Daily)

Rodri was also involved in the discussion with Mahrez but Gundogan, City’s captain, resolved the issue and made it clear that it would be Mahrez taking the penalty.

Prior to the match, Manchester City fans booed the official anthem of the Premier League after the club were hit with multiple charges and accused of more than 100 breaches, relating to activities between 2009 and 2018.

But Rodri insisted after the match that the squad have not paid too much attention to the noise that has been bubbling away in the background prior to Sunday’s game. When he was asked about the charges, the midfielder told Match of the Day: “We just talk about football, we talk on the pitch. What happens off the pitch is not our business.”

source: ww.mirror.co.uk