Three things that stood out about Manchester City v Arsenal: Oh, Kevin De Bruyne

Arsenal are running out of breath on the home stretch of the Premier League season. In the eagerly awaited top game against Manchester City, it was a painful and deserved 1:4 defeat.

The Gunners, who had greeted them from their place in the sun for months, gambled away the chance to become champions on their own. The reigning champion from Manchester can now look forward to this privilege. Although the Londoners remained in the lead with a two-point lead, the Skyblues still have two games to play.

City coach Pep Guardiola was once again able to rely on Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian contributed a brace (7′, 54′), Haaland, who initially “only” appeared as a template provider, scored the final score in added time (90′ + 5′). John Stones had made it 2-0 just before the break (45′ + 1′), Rob Holding was only trying to improve the result (86′).

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“They were clearly the better team today,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted afterwards. In fact, the balance of power was not even remotely summarized.

Three things that stood out about Manchester City vs Arsenal.

1.) Oh, Kevin De Bruyne

When the man of the match was substituted in the 80th minute, the spectators at Etihad Stadium rose, the majority, who were of course with Man City that night, rewrote the famous intro of the White Stripes song “Seven Nation Army”. , sang “Oh, Kevin De Bruyne”.

The sky-blue supporters had done the same 23 minutes earlier when the midfielder made it 3-0 in an outstanding manner. A song as a legitimate homage to an exceptional player.

De Bruyne had once again put his stamp on the game, almost every one of the numerous city attacks went through the Belgian international. In addition to his two goals, he set up Stones’ goal to make it 2-0 with a spot-on free-kick cross.

“No words needed,” tweeted De Bruyne, who modestly spoke of a “good game” on “Sky” after the game. But actually there are so many words that would sum up the performance of the former Wolfsburg player. World class, brilliant, exceptional, excellent. The list could be continued with superlatives.

In his current form, De Bruyne is a real contender for the Ballon d’Or.

2.) Hamann is wrong

Expert Didi Hamann is known for his polarizing statements. In mid-February, for example, the former Bayern professional explained: “ManCity was a better team without Haaland, even if he scores 40 goals this season.”

His former Liverpool team-mate Jamie Carragher took a similar line: “Manchester City is a different, weaker team with Haaland,” said Carragher. However, the past few weeks in general and the game between the Citizens and Arsenal in particular may have caused the two to rethink.

Haaland gives coach Pep Guardiola a lot more options and takes the whole game to another level. While before his time it was almost frowned upon to hit the ball forward, the city stars now find the best possible processor for long balls in Haaland.

Erling Haaland

Photo Credit: Getty Images

In the creation of the early opening goal, the Norwegian plucked a long ball from the center line, with his back to the opponent’s goal, spectacularly from the air, shook off Arsenal defender Holding and sent eventual goalscorer De Bruyne on his way.

Basically, the North Londoners never got the natural force from Scandinavia under control. Haaland fooled the Arsenal defense time and time again, but failed to turn his good chances into something countable.

Atypical for Haaland. In injury time, however, the football god still stuck to the laws of nature. The ex-Dortmunder crowned his excellent performance with the goal to make it 4:1. It was his 49th in the 43rd competitive game.

3.) A lesson for Arsenal

Arsenal stayed calm on their way to their first championship in 19 years. Only since the beginning of April does the Gunners seem to be on the mend.

The Arteta squad gave up a 2-0 lead twice in a row (2-2 v Liverpool, 2-2 v West Ham), last weekend the capital city team struggled to a 3-3 win at home against bottom-placed Southampton.

There was a real lesson at Man City. The club from the Thames, where defender William Saliba (back problems) was once again sorely missed, lacks experience in the hot phase.

With the prestigious Premier League pot in sight – hardly any Arsenal player has been in this situation so far, in contrast to most City stars. Arteta, who has a young, highly talented team, has to realize that one or the other established player is helpful in the final sprint.

“The players suffered tonight. We played against an exceptional team. The performances of one team and the other differed significantly,” concluded the Spaniard, who learned his coaching trade primarily from the champions, Guardiola .

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