Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hinted that Erling Braut Haaland will only face Arsenal on Wednesday if he is 100% fit.
On Sunday evening, Haaland played his part in City establishing a 3-0 half-time lead against Aston Villa, chipping in with an assist for the second goal.
However, when the teams returned after the break, the Norway international was missing, the assumption initially being that he had been rested with the showdown with the leaders in mind.
During the second half, it emerged that the 22-year-old has sustained an injury issue just three days before the trip to the Emirates Stadium.
City went on to complete a 3-1 victory over Villa, moving the club to within three points of Arsenal, albeit having played a game more.
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Nevertheless, should City prevail in North London, the defending champions will move ahead of their hosts in the Premier League standings on goal difference.
When quizzed on the matter after overcoming the West Midlands outfit, Guardiola revealed that Haaland had sustained a knock, indicating that he had been advised to not 'take any risks' on his centre-forward.
As quoted by BBC Sport, Guardiola said: "Erling has a knock; he was uncomfortable."
"At half time I spoke with the doctors. They said maybe with the score like it is we don't take risks, and I agreed.
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The Spaniard added: "If the score was tighter, then maybe I don't do it. I think he is not injured but on Monday we are going to see.
"Hopefully he can be in for Wednesday. But if he is not ready or there is some risk, he is not going to play."
While Haaland remains clear at the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts with 25 goals, he has netted in just two of his last eight appearances in all competitions.
He also failed to net when City recently played Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round, although his were still able to edge through to the last 16 by a 1-0 scoreline.
Darren Plant
