Arsenal and Manchester City are set to face off in what could decide the Premier League title.
The Gunners are currently six points clear at the top, but City have a game in hand. That means this clash at the Etihad could swing the race in either direction depending on the result.
Erling Haaland has now pointed out an advantage his side have that has kept him calm.
What do you think will happen when Arsenal take on Man City?
Erling Haaland thinks Man City have an advantage over Arsenal and he’s right
Manchester City and Arsenal have had a very different week.
Pep Guardiola’s men had all the rest in the world to prepare for this game, which is something Haaland admits is unusual for them.
That has allowed them to rest, recover and focus entirely on this fixture.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have had a much tougher schedule, including a demanding Champions League clash against Sporting CP on Wednesday.
The Gunners are also dealing with several injury concerns at the worst possible time. Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino are already ruled out, while players like Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke and Riccardo Calafiori are all doubts.
On top of that, City are in strong form, while Arsenal have lost their last three domestic matches. That momentum difference only adds to the challenge.
Speaking about the clash on Sunday, Haaland claimed that he is calm because his side have had a rare free week, which is a clear advantage.
He said on Sky Sports: “It’s nice. It’s always nice to be in this situation towards the end of the season. Right now, I’m quite calm. There’s one game a week, which is really unusual for us. Barely happens.
“So, honestly, I don’t feel a lot of nerves or anything because I mean, we’ve been chasing all season, and we’ve got nothing to lose. So, I don’t have any pressure, honestly.”
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Arsenal can have no excuses if they fail to deliver
While the disadvantage is real, it is also a consequence of Arsenal’s success this season.
Unlike Manchester City, the Gunners are still competing in the Champions League, which is why their schedule this week has been so demanding.
This is a position they would have happily accepted at the start of the campaign.
Yes, injuries are a concern, but Arsenal still have enough quality in their squad to compete at the highest level.
That is why there can be no excuses if they fail to get a result – the best teams find a way regardless of circumstances if they want to become champions.
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