ERLING HAALAND was spotted making the “exhausting” journey to London along with his Manchester City team-mates for tonight’s clash with Arsenal.
The striker handed Pep Guardiola a huge boost for Wednesday’s title showdown with the Gunners by taking part in a full recovery session on Monday.
The Premier League’s top scorer was subbed at half-time during Sunday’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa after getting a kick on the leg.
Boss Pep Guardiola said afterwards he would wait to see if the £51.4million striker could join the squad heading to the capital for the bumper match.
And the signs are positive that the 31-goal star will be leading the line for the reigning champions as Haaland was among the players pictured leaving Manchester at the train station earlier.
The return to London comes just nine days after Guardiola moaned about City’s “exhausting” trip to the capital after they suffered defeat at Tottenham.
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The City boss compared his team’s 200-mile journey south as like travelling to the continent.
He said: “Coming to London is like going to northern Europe.
“It is four-and-a-half hours to get to a hotel.
“It’s so exhausting to come to London, I’m sorry.”
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Meanwhile, Norwegian Haaland has not found the net in his last three starts for City and his last away goal was way back on December 28 at Leeds.
He passed up the chance to take a penalty against Villa – allowing Riyad Mahrez to take it instead – and also showed his quality by teeing up a goal for Ilkay Gundogan.
But Guardiola has already vowed Haaland will only take part if totally fit.
If Haaland does miss out, Guardiola could start with Argentina frontman Julian Alvarez – using Jack Grealish and Mahrez out wide behind him.
Arsenal go into the match three points ahead of City, who have played a game more than the leaders.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
