Before their crucial home Premier League match against Liverpool on Saturday, Manchester City supporters are concerned about the health of goal machine Erling Haaland.
The champions must defeat Jurgen Klopp’s team by three goals in the early kickoff to prevent Arsenal from increasing their lead over City, who are currently in second position, to double digits.
Later on Saturday, Arsenal, who have 10 games left and are trying to win their first championship since 2003-04, play Leeds United, who are now in 14th place.
Haaland, a Norwegian striker who joined City from Borussia Dortmund with an incredible 42 goals in 37 games, missed training on Thursday as players returned from their international break due to a groin issue.
Last week, Alfie Haaland, the striker’s father, told Norwegian television that it appeared “touch and go” if the player would return in time for the Liverpool game.
You can’t just skip two weeks of preparation and enter a battle, he added.
His absence, along with England midfielder Phil Foden’s, who is also sidelined following appendix surgery, will be appreciated by Liverpool fans as much as by Arsenal supporters, who are both sixth in the standings and still vying for a Champions League spot.
In a skysports.com piece, former Arsenal playmaker Paul Merson stated, “This is a cup final for Manchester City.” “They must triumph in this match.
“If Arsenal wins, the deficit reverts to five points, putting additional pressure on them as they still have several challenging games to play.
“A draw for City and an Arsenal victory over Leeds on Saturday would widen the gap to 10 points and that is too far; you well and truly start to think it might be finished.”
As retaliation for losing to their opponents at the Emirates in February, Arsenal will play Liverpool at Anfield on April 9 and City at the Etihad Stadium on April 26.
Manager Mikel Arteta stated, “All we can control is what we do every single day. We cannot affect the outcome of other clubs.”
“Now it needs to be about enjoying the final stretch of the season with passion, energy, and a real want to continue doing what we’ve done, and if possible, better,” the author writes.
Although Manchester United, who are currently in third place and play at Newcastle United on Sunday, have played one more game than City, who have one match in hand on the leaders, they are still 11 points behind.
After parting ways with Antonio Conte on Sunday, fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur will be led by former assistant coach Cristian Stellini when they travel to struggling Everton on Monday.
Nine clubs are separated by just four points in the race for last place, making it more competitive than ever. The weekend promises more changes.
On Sunday, bottom-placed Southampton will play host to 18th-placed West Ham United at the London Stadium in a game that neither team can afford to lose, while 19th-placed Bournemouth will host Fulham.
Only two points separate 17th-ranked Leicester City and 12th-placed Crystal Palace, both of whom are managed by 75-year-old Roy Hodgson for a second stint.
Palace is the only team in the league without a victory in 2023, having played seven games while drawing five.
