Pep Guardiola has explained why he took Manchester City’s most dangerous player off against Arsenal | OneFootball

Manchester City drew 1-all with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. A first-half goal from Erling Haaland was cancelled out by a Gabriel Martinelli strike in the 93rd minute of yesterday’s match. In the 76th minute of a tense Premier League fixture, Erling Haaland was taken off and replaced by Nico. At the time, it seemed like a strange substitution. Haaland, alongside Jeremy Doku, was Manchester City’s only attacking outlets in the second half. Speaking after yesterday’s match, Pep Guardiola explained why Haaland was taken off. The Norwegian international had run himself into the ground for his team. He had nothing left to give after a big week of fixtures for Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola has explained why Erling Haaland had to be taken off against Arsenal.

It did seem a strange decision from Pep Guardiola to take Erling Haaland off yesterday. His presence on the pitch always unsettled the Arsenal defence. But speaking after the match, Pep Guardiola explained that Haaland was exhausted. In quotes relayed by Simon Bajkowski for Manchester Evening News, Guardiola explained: “The first three of four balls, he (Erling Haaland) could win the duels and win all the duels with Gabriel and Saliba. Sorry, it’s not easy. At the end, he was exhausted, a lot of pain in his back. He was suffering the last few days. It’s so demanding and he will take a break a little bit to the last games.”

Erling Haaland now has a chance to rest this week.

Over the past three matches, like his teammates, Erling Haaland has given his all for the cause. Against Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal, Haaland has fought and scrapped to led the way up front for his team. Haaland has scored four goals in those matches. Outside of his goals, the Norwegian international has run himself into the floor. He has led City’s high press and helped his team defensively when required. Ultimately, Haaland ran out of steam and had to be taken off against Arsenal. That was an understandable decision from Pep Guardiola once it was explained after Sunday’s match.

Erling Haaland, like many of his teammates, now has a chance to rest and recover this week. It is highly doubtful that Halaand will feature against Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup this week. Haaland will likely have an opportunity to rest ahead of Manchester City’s next Premier League fixture against Burnley. That rest should do him the world of good to recover from his efforts over the past week.