Erling Haaland Opens Up on Difference Between Playing for Norway and Manchester City

• Manchester City will face league leaders Arsenal on March 31
• That match could be a potential Premier League title decider
• Haaland revealed his priorities between club and national football

Erling Haaland gave a brutally honest interview on Thursday, March 21 as he highlighted the difference between playing for Manchester City and Norway.

Haaland, 23, was a trending topic on Wednesday after a clip of the striker limping in training.

Norway’s team doctor has since quelled any concerns of Haaland’s fitness, with the striker himself confirming all was well.

"I'm feeling fine," he said, per GT. “ "I didn't walk off the training. I don't know who wrote that. I trained a full training session.

Regardless, this has not settled Man City fans’ nerves as they still worry their top marksman could suffer an injury while playing for his nation in the upcoming friendly matches against Czechia and Slovakia.

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Haaland’s take

In a recent interview with Norwegian outlet VG, Haaland admitted City’s upcoming game against Arsenal was of a different magnitude to his nation’s upcoming friendly matches.

"It's nice to play for the country. But it's different to face Arsenal next weekend versus the Czech Republic at home. I won't lie. There is a big difference," the 23-year-old said, as cited on Standard.

"But what do you do? There are as many matches as possible in the calendar. That seems to be the goal."

In the same interview, Haaland revealed how Pep Guardiola jokingly told his players he would personally come for them should they suffer an injury whilst on international duty.

City’s battle for silverware

City are in a fierce battle for three trophies: the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

In the league, they are being pushed to the limit by Arsenal and Liverpool, while they face Champions League specialists Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

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Guardiola is also hoping to defend his FA Cup title as his side is in the last four where they face Chelsea.

Arsenal beaten 4-0 in friendly

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported on how Arsenal were beaten 4-0 by QPR in a behind-closed-doors friendly match.

The match had at least two senior Arsenal players, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who are both just returning from injury.

Since their Champions League win over Porto, Arsenal are set to stay 19 days without playing competitive football.