Kevin De Bruyne And Erling Haaland Combine In An Unexpected Manner For Man City Against Arsenal

Ahead of a top-of-the-table Premier League clash with Arsenal on Wednesday night, Manchester City will have been looking to its world-class players Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne to make the difference.

And they did just that, but perhaps not in the expected order.

Haaland, the goalscorer extraordinaire, breaking records across the board, and De Bruyne doing something similar when it comes to assists, on course for a season-best in that regard.

If everything went according to the script for regular observers of this Man City team this year—and indeed for anyone just eyeing the stats alone—De Bruyne would set up Haaland for a collection of goals and put City in the driving seat in the title race.

After all, De Bruyne has already been the main provider for Haaland, who has now netted an extraordinary 49 goals in all competitions with the Belgian assisting eight of them in the Premier League. It is the most common combination of assister to goalscorer in the English top flight.

But no. In the title showdown against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, the roles were reversed.

The opening goal came within the first ten minutes and was a sign of things to come.

Haaland held the ball up in midfield, receiving a long ball from the back from John Stones before sliding a pass through for De Bruyne who was charging towards the Arsenal defence.

De Bruyne still had plenty to do as he drove at goal, but he created enough separation between himself and Arsenal defender Gabriel to have some space for the shot. He bent the ball from outside the post to in past the outstretched Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

De Bruyne had another, similar chance later in the first half, bearing down on the Arsenal center-backs once again following a pass from Haaland, but this time it was defended by the covering Ben White.

De Bruyne returned to his more familiar role of provider, crossing a free-kick into the area for Stones to head City’s second.

It gave the 31-year-old a 16th Premier League assist of the season and 24 in all competitions—his best tally for the club.

The icing on the cake saw Haaland pick up on a mistake by Arsenal in midfield and thread the ball in for De Bruyne who finished cooly once again.

Two assists for Haaland (plus one goal for good measure) and two goals for De Bruyne (plus one assist for good measure). A switch of roles that Arsenal probably didn’t expect and certainly couldn’t deal with.

The pair also made it uncomfortable for Arsenal to build their own attacking moves from the back, as demonstrated by the turnover for that third goal when they were ready to pounce once the ball was won.

The win gives Manchester City the advantage going into the Premier League’s final games of the season, of which they have a couple in hand on Arsenal.

The manner of the defeat might also be a mental blow to the North London club that is now four games without a win.

It is advantage City and advantage Pep Guardiola, thanks to his unstoppable, versatile attacking duo.