The last thing
Pep Guardiola asked before his
Manchester City players went on their international break was for them to be sensible about their workload during the upcoming friendly games. Asked specifically if he would prefer if Erling Haaland didn't play, Guardiola simply replied that the striker is not his player anymore - for the period he is away with Norway at least. The manager added that he wouldn't be following the international games, taking some time back home in
Catalonia instead, but news of Haaland's possible injury scare may have reached him. Little information has surfaced on the back of the footage of Haaland's possible injury, although encouraging quotes from the Norway team doctor suggest there is no lasting concern. With
Arsenal awaiting in 11 days' time, there will be even more attention on Haaland's condition in the coming days. ALSO READ: Haaland worry, De Bruyne injury, Grealish fit - How Man City could line up after international break ALSO READ: The forgotten plans for Manchester's original 'Wembley of the North' and what it means for Ratcliffe vision What happened - and what has been said? Footage showed Haaland limping away in Norway training on Tuesday and struggling to walk off the problem. The limited clip doesn't show how Haaland picked up his issue, nor what happened in the rest of the session. According to TV2, Norway team doctor Ola Sand later said there was 'no problem' with Haaland, easing concerns. But that has not stopped the speculation over a potential injury. When do Norway play this week? Norway play two friendlies this week, against Czechia on Friday, and against Slovakia on Tuesday. He will then return to City for training next Thursday ahead of the Arsenal showdown. That means we are likely to hear from Norway manager Stale Solbakken on Thursday, where he will surely be asked about Haaland's condition - and possibly comments from Pep Guardiola on Haaland's availability from the weekend. What did Guardiola say? Speaking after the Newcastle win in the FA Cup , Guardiola said: "We need Kevin, Jack and Erling to come back in the best possible conditions." Clarifying those comments on Haaland in his press conference, Guardiola dismissed the notion that he had hinted at any fitness concerns for Haaland. "No [concerns], today was the Erling I like to see. I like it," Guardiola said, confirming he had referred to the team's performance in finding Haaland rather than fitness. "But in the moment we could have found him a little bit more, for the players from behind. When Lascelles and Botman jam to Jeremy and Phil, we should have used him a little bit more in the space but sometimes it’s difficult to see him." When asked if he would prefer Haaland didn't play for Norway, Guardiola replied: "He is not my player anymore from now on, what they will decide will be fine. They know that they fought a lot and train a lot, a lot of adrenaline and concentration to arrive in this position. They know they are friendly games and they have to handle it wisely. Hopefully they can do it." Will Haaland be fit to face Arsenal? We don't know. There are 11 days and two friendly matches between now and kick-off at the Etihad on Easter Sunday. Even if Haaland has picked up a knock in training, he could well be fit for that clash. But with the Norwegian doctor confirming there was no problem, the hope will be that he manages his minutes in the coming week before returning to City fully fit.