Manchester City Sweats As Their Key Player Seen Injured Ahead of Arsenal Clash

Manchester City’s Premier League race faces a daunting hurdle as Erling Haaland, their talismanic striker, has sparked concerns over his fitness as Arsenal are set to take on third-place and defending champions next week.

The Norwegian sensation was caught in a precarious sight during his national team’s training session, hobbling gingerly, nursing what seems to be a nagging knee ailment.

With 10 games to go, the Premier League title race is closer than ever, with just one point separating first and third place.

Erling Haaland seen limping in training

In the final international break of the season, Norway take on Czech Republic and Slovakia in friendly matches this week with Haaland among the Premier League players to have returned home for international action.

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Footage from a training session on Monday however shows the City star in some discomfort, limping across the training pitch trying to shake off what appears to be a knee issue.

Haaland appeared to shake his head as he hobbled off the pitch.

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— StatCity (@StatCity) March 19, 2024

The looming clash against Arsenal on March 31st intensifies the anxiety, with the Gunners leading the charge at the league’s summit, leaving Manchester City with no room for error.

Pep Guardiola played down suggestions of an injury but did warn his players to be wary of any issues while on international duty.

‘He is not my player anymore from now on, what they will decide will be fine,’ Guardiola said. ‘They know that they fought a lot and train a lot, a lot of adrenaline and concentration to arrive in this position.

‘They know they are friendly games and they have to handle it wisely. Hopefully they can do it.’

Haaland has scored 29 goals in 34 appearances this season, missing nine games through injury between December and January.

Kevin de Bruyne is another who has had spells on the sidelines this season. The midfielder was replaced in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool earlier this month, also missing the win over Newcastle.

Last week, he left out of the Belgium squad ahead of games against Republic of Ireland and England due to a groin strain with national team boss Domenico Tedesco unsure if the issue is similar to the one that sidelined de Bruyne for five months earlier this season.

Haaland’s prowess on the pitch has been instrumental in City’s campaign, his lethal strikes propelling them forward. Yet, his recent injury struggles cast a shadow over City’s title aspirations, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side on tenterhooks.

As the clock ticks down to the showdown against Arsenal, every City supporter fervently prays for Haaland’s swift recovery, knowing well that his absence could tip the scales in this electrifying title race.