Erling Haaland has not attempted to play down the significance of Sunday’s match between Manchester City and Arsenal
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Haaland is looking forward to facing Arsenalopen image in gallery
Haaland is looking forward to facing Arsenal (Getty)
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Erling Haaland has described Sunday’s pivotal Premier League encounter between Manchester City and Arsenal as "like a final," highlighting the immense stakes in the race for the title.
The upcoming clash between the league’s top two teams is poised to have significant ramifications for the championship outcome.
Arsenal’s defeat by Bournemouth last Saturday, combined with City’s victory over Chelsea a day later, has reduced the Gunners’ lead at the summit to just six points. A win for either side would undoubtedly provide a crucial impetus in their pursuit of Premier League glory.
After Sunday’s fixture, Arsenal will have five league matches remaining, while City will have six.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the prolific City striker underscored the high-pressure environment.
Haaland believes Sunday's match will be 'like a final'open image in gallery
Haaland believes Sunday's match will be 'like a final' (Getty)
"It’s always a nice fight and it’s always good to, as I said, to play against the best because that’s something you want to do," Haaland stated.
He continued: "It’s a massive game without a doubt. We all know the importance of this game. It’s like a final. Like last weekend was against Chelsea, it was a final as well. Let’s be honest and say that.
“We have a final every single weekend now for the next six weeks. It’s a massive game, it’s probably the biggest and the best game there will be, so hopefully it can be an amazing game.
“These are the games you want to play and these are the moments you want to be in."
This will be the third meeting between City and Arsenal this season, with Pep Guardiola’s men yet to lose to their title rivals.
The reverse fixture in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium back in September finished 1-1, with Gabriel Martinelli’s injury-time goal cancelling out Haaland’s first-half opener.
City then beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final last month, with Nico O’Reilly scoring both goals in the second half.