Overview
- After scoring 19 times in his first 17 Premier League matches, Erling Haaland has just three goals in his last 12 league outings.
- A 1-1 draw at West Ham marked the latest frustrating display, with Pep Guardiola saying Haaland faced "200 million" defenders and plays the "most difficult position on the planet."
- Guardiola insisted Haaland remains vital to Manchester City and urged his team to create more chances for their No 9.
- Manchester City trail Arsenal by nine points in the league and host Real Madrid needing to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit in the Champions League.
- Reports noted a groin issue for Haaland during the West Ham match, while pundit Joe Cole called the downturn "uncharted territory" for the striker.