Kevin De Bruyne has explained how a tactical tweak from Pep Guardiola helped Manchester City earn a vital victory over Arsenal.
Goals from John Stones, Erling Haaland and a brace from Kevin De Bruyne earned the Citizens a potentially title-deciding win at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening. The win means Man City are now just two points behind Arsenal in the table, but with two games in hand over Mikel Arteta’s team.
Speaking to Peacock, De Bruyne revealed an acute tactical change made the difference for Manchester City.
He stated: “The way that Arsenal press the opposition is top, it’s class. It’s almost impossible to play from the back, especially when it’s a goal kick – it’s like a set piece, and we know we had to play longer today and we tried a couple of things in training.
“I tried to get a little bit deeper and then tried to run off Erling when he kept the ball, and I think we found that a couple of times. I think in the first half we created some chances this way, and it was important to set the tone.
“Normally we play with two number eights and I think he [Guardiola] wanted a little bit more control because of the way they press. So Gundo [Ilkay Gundogan] would be a double six and I had to choose more the moments, depending on who presses out of Xhaka and Partey – if Partey was pressing I would try to go on his back and the other way round, and it was difficult for [Rob] Holding and Gabriel.
“[They had to decide] do they have to go with me or are they staying with Erling. I couldn’t find the moments in the first half, and obviously they switched a little bit in the second half, but I was a little more free today.”
If Manchester City now win their two games in hand – against Chelsea and Brighton respectively – the Citizens will take a four point lead atop of the Premier League table.
Source: 90min.com