Arsenal and Manchester City played out an enthralling 2-2 draw at the Emirates on the 31st matchday of the Premier League season. While both the teams had their fair share of chances, especially in the 2nd half, they failed to capitalise on it and the game ended in a frustrating draw.
It was a game that brought to light the defensive frailties of both the units as they struggled time and again to display defensive solidarity. The managers of the sides involved, Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola would be worried about the same as we get into the business end of the season.
The two sides’ failure to convert the chances that came their way should please the other contenders in the race for a Champions League spot and neither Wenger nor Guardiola would be glad that the spoils were shared between them.
The game saw goals from Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero, Theo Walcott and Shkodran Mustafi and that would instantly make the aforementioned players the main talking points. However, if there is one man who has shown an ability to turn up and perform in each of his side’s big games it is Kevin De Bruyne and the Belgian put in another impressive performance against the Gunners.
The 25-year-old Belgian started the game alongside Fernandinho at the heart of the Manchester City midfield. However, as has been the case over the course of the season, De Bruyne was afforded a free role and was often seen drifting out wide as well as dropping in behind Aguero alongside the Spanish playmaker David Silva to add to his side’s attacking firepower.
Inch perfect pass leads to Manchester City’s opener
Both the teams had barely settled in when De Bruyne found a window of opportunity to let the quick German, Leroy Sane in behind the Arsenal defence and he did it with aplomb. A scrappy bouncing ball fell his way in the 5th minute and De Bruyne played a perfectly weighted pass to allow Sane to run in between the Arsenal defenders who had left a huge space in the heart of their defence.
Credit should also go to the young German international who has been sensational ever since he broke into the first team at Wolfsburg. He kept a cool head to beat David Ospina with his pace and then calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.
With City marauding forward, De Bruyne took it upon himself to become the focal point of the attack. He struck the post from outside the box once and then left German superstar Mustafi on his heels as he flicked it past him only for the woodwork to deny him again, albeit off a deflection.
The Belgian completed a total of 48 passes, one of the highest by a City attacker.
His defensive contributions deserve better credit
Such has been his impact as an attacker since moving to Manchester City that the 25-year-old’s defensive contributions often go unnoticed. He is not afraid to get into a duel and has shown the requisite understanding to intercept the opposition’s passes and disrupt their rhythm.
It is perhaps his vision and willingness to fight for every loose ball that makes him a menace to the opposition and that was the case against Arsenal. He made a total of 10 ball recoveries during the game and given his pedigree, the Arsenal players should have shown better resolve to keep him away from the ball.
All in all, it could be said that despite not finding the back of the net, De Bruyne continued to prosper at the heart of Manchester City midfield.
De Bruyne has created 74 goal scoring opportunities this season – more than any other Manchester City player – and is willing to put his body on the line for his side’s cause, a trait not very often associated with creative players.
Pep needs to build his squad around De Bruyne
While they might have their deficiencies, it is safe to say that under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have played some brilliant attacking football. With the manager having been at the helm of affairs for less than a year now, we can expect the City team to become better with the passage of time.
The Spaniard will need to build his squad around a set of players and given his performances at the heart of the City midfield, De Bruyne deserves to be the man to take over the mantle at the Etihad Stadium from the likes of David Silva and Sergio Aguero.
