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Pep Guardiola said that Erling Haaland was taken off in Manchester City's draw with Arsenal because he was suffering from back pain that has caused him issues this week.

Haaland looked electric at the start of the game as he raced half the length of the pitch to score the opening goal after a one-two with Tijjani Reijnders . He then continued to be an outlet up front in a defensive performance from the Blues and missed a second-half chance to double their advantage.

Guardiola took Haaland off with 15 minutes of normal time remaining , replacing him with midfielder Nico Gonzalez in what looked like another defensive substitution. Phil Foden had been replaced by Nathan Ake shortly before that.

City were winning at the time and looked to have secured a battling three poin

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