Latest Arsenal news with a huge update being provided on the fitness of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland by Pep Guardiola
Manchester City star Erling Haaland has not been named in Pep Guardiola’s squad to face Huddersfield in the FA Cup. The Norway international has been out with a foot injury since the 2-1 win over Luton Town in early December and despite his absence, the reigning champions have won six of the seven games played without him which included winning the Club World Cup.
Alongside Haaland, Jeremy Doku has also been dealing with a muscular issue that has seen him miss the last five weeks. However, with those two injury blows, Guardiola has been steadily welcoming back Kevin De Bruyne after his lengthy lay-off with a hamstring injury.
Ahead of the Huddersfield clash at Etihad Stadium, the trio were all spotted in training with Guardiola delivering the latest update earlier this week. “Jeremy feels really, really good and Kevin as well,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “And Erling is also a little bit better, have to be careful with the bone. Kevin has been out a long time. We have to be patient and give the right minutes for him and Jeremy.
“But in the two or three training sessions they feel good and are improving. I don’t know about Sunday or Newcastle but for the rest they will be ready.” Guardiola’s comments on Doku and De Bruyne being good have been shown in his team selection with both named on the bench, however Haaland has not been selected.
Given City should stroll through this tie against Championship opposition, it does make sense for Haaland to be rested although it still places into doubt his availability to face Newcastle in Premier League action next weekend. Upon his arrival at Man City, the belief was that regardless of a game’s stakes, Haaland would not be selected if he was carrying an injury and that has thus far been proven with the 23-year-old being reintroduced carefully.
In his absence, Julian Alvarez has stepped up with four goals and two assists in seven games while Phil Foden has also impressed. For this afternoon’s cup tie, the duo are joined by Jack Grealish in attack to face the Terriers with Rodri, Kyle Walker and Ederson also given a rest.
Arsenal may not be afforded that luxury though in their third round fixture with Gabriel Jesus out of the squad for the Liverpool clash with what is a small knee injury that is not expected to be serious, as football.london understands. Oleksandr Zinchenko is also a doubt while Bukayo Saka and Ben White are both said to be dealing with injuries.