Haaland dropped after woeful Arsenal display
Erling Haaland, the prominent striker for Manchester City, is notably absent from the lineup for their upcoming match against Aston Villa. This absence follows his unexpected absence from the previous game against Arsenal, where he failed to appear on the field.
This absence has raised eyebrows and stirred speculation about the reasons behind his sudden disappearance from the squad. Additionally, the absence of another key player, Kevin De Bruyne, adds to the intrigue surrounding Manchester City's lineup choices for this crucial match.
This decision to drop him from the starting eleven suggests that the team management has opted for a different strategy or lineup for this crucial game. Haaland's absence from the starting lineup may prompt speculation among fans and pundits regarding potential reasons behind this decision, such as tactical considerations, fitness concerns, or other team dynamics.
Why has Haaland been dropped?
Erling Haaland, the Norwegian striker, found himself on the bench for Manchester City's match against Unai Emery's team, just three days following his lackluster performance in the high-stakes match against Arsenal.
Similarly, star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was also listed among the substitutes for the match against Aston Villa, the team that handed Manchester City their last defeat. The decision to relegate both Haaland and De Bruyne to the bench suggests a tactical shift or perhaps a need to manage their workload effectively, especially considering the demanding schedule and the importance of maintaining peak performance levels throughout the season.
Additionally, facing the team that previously bested them might have influenced the manager's lineup decisions, as they aim to secure a crucial victory in the title race.
Following Manchester City's 1-1 draw, Erling Haaland faced harsh criticism from Roy Keane, who humiliatingly labeled him as a "League Two" striker. This critique came after Haaland's recent struggles, including a failure to find the back of the net in his last three matches for the team and a notable missed opportunity during the Arsenal game.
The criticism sparked a strong reaction from Pep Guardiola during his press conference on Tuesday. Guardiola's response indicated his support for Haaland while also defending his player against Keane's disparaging remarks.
Haaland's recent dip in form and the scrutiny from pundits like Keane underscore the pressures and expectations faced by top-tier players, highlighting the intense scrutiny and criticism that comes with playing for a high-profile club like Manchester City.
Alvarez is expected to start in place of Haaland
Despite facing criticism, Erling Haaland maintains his position as the leading scorer in the Premier League, having netted 18 goals so far, which is two more than his closest competitors, including Mohamed Salah, Dominic Solanke, and Ollie Watkins. Unfortunately, Watkins, the striker for Aston Villa, will miss the Wednesday game against Manchester City due to injury. 
In his absence, Julian Alvarez will take Haaland's place in the starting lineup, while Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish are among the four changes made to the team. Manchester City aims to rebound from their recent draw against Arsenal and stay competitive with both Arsenal and Liverpool, who currently lead the Premier League table, before their upcoming match against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
