Manchester City star Erling Haaland is facing a race against time to be declared fit for the huge Premier League title clash against Arsenal on Wednesday. The golden boot leader was taken off at half-time of City's 3-1 win against Aston Villa on Sunday with a suspected thigh problem.
"Right now I don’t know," Guardiola said when asked if the Norwegian international will play against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium. "We will have to see over the next few days."
City have the squad depth to deal with Haaland's absence but he would still prove to be a huge loss for Guardiola given his insane goal record this term. Arsenal are hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table with a win on Wednesday and if the 22-year-old is absent for the reigning champions, it would come as a major boost for Mikel Arteta's side.
READ MORE: PGMOL chief Howard Webb calls urgent referee meeting as VAR blunder costs Arsenal in title race
Speaking after City's win against Villa, Guardiola discussed Haaland's substitution and hoped that he would be able to select his star forward. The City boss said: "He [Haaland] got a knock and was uncomfortable so at 3-0 up we didn’t want to take the risk. We will assess him and if he’s not ready we will play someone else, hopefully he is ready."
Guardiola has already admitted that the club are doing everything they can to maintain Haaland's fitness throughout the season after he struggled with injuries during his spell with Borussia Dortmund. Speaking back in August, Guardiola said: "What is important is he doesn’t have niggles.
"Last season he didn’t play 90 minutes because he was injured. The physios and doctors did an incredible job since he arrived to avoid injuries.
"Now he has one game a week. I tell you now when we have games every three days that Erling will not play, I will play Julian [Alvarez]."
City have teased that Haaland will be ready to face the Gunners on Wednesday by posting a photo on social media of the inform striker taking part in training. The 22-year-old was also pictured behind a group of City stars that included Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva.
Haaland's arrival at the Etihad Stadium has seen him break a number of Premier League records already as he leads the race for the golden boot. His fitness will prove to be a crucial factor in the title race and Arsenal will need to be at their best to keep the Norway international quiet if he is declared fit for the clash on Wednesday.
READ NEXT:
Gabriel Martinelli could be dropped for Man City clash with injured Arsenal star close to return
Man City suffer major Erling Haaland blow ahead of key Premier League title clash vs Arsenal
Man City duo Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan issue warning to Arsenal ahead of key Premier League clash
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Toney's 'offside goal', Martinelli's form and set pieces
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
