Kevin De Bruyne can boast a magnificent record against Arsenal for Manchester City.
City lost 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium in De Bruyne’s first appearance against the Gunners in December 2015. Their record in their next 14 games against Arsenal reads: W11, D3 and L0.
The Belgian playmaker has eight goals and four assists in that period and has not scored as frequently against any other opponent during his glittering career.
Arsenal secured a long-awaited 1-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s side last season as De Bruyne recovered from hamstring surgery. While his problem is not as serious this time around, the 33-year-old is a doubt for Mikel Arteta’s men’s visit to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
“He feels a little better today, but [he is not ready] “Not yet,” Guardiola said on Friday, two days after De Bruyne was injured in a collision with Yann Sommer and was replaced at half-time in a 0-0 UEFA Champions League draw with Real Madrid. “Two days rest, tomorrow training and we’ll see.”
If De Bruyne fails to qualify, Guardiola has a few options at his disposal. Let’s go through them on the basis that Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden are sure starters on the right side of City’s attacking midfield, behind Erling Haaland.
Ilkay Gündogan
City’s 2022/23 treble-winning captain has been given a hero’s welcome since returning on a free transfer from Barcelona last month, with even missing two glorious chances in the dying moments of the game against Inter quickly forgotten.
In big games, Guardiola likes to call on his old players, and there have been few more reliable than Gundogan, his first and last signing at City. The only question mark is the 33-year-old’s fitness, with all his appearances since returning to Manchester having come from the bench.
Mateo Kovacic
Kovacic has started all four of City’s Premier League games so far this season, replacing Rodri in midfield. The Spanish star returned to the starting XI against Inter and Kovacic could now be selected in his more natural role alongside Rodri. However, the Croatian playmaker’s lack of goal threat could be a factor against an Arsenal defence that shut out City home and away last season.
James McAtee
This position might raise eyebrows, but could make a lot of sense tactically. De Bruyne’s role has been slightly altered this season, with Guardiola playing him as a left-sided attacking midfielder who drops back to that flank to help City build possession. During pre-season and the FA Community Shield, academy product McAtee occupied this position and his time on loan at Sheffield United means he is not short of Premier League experience.
Jack Grealish
Grealish should probably start on the left wing to give Guardiola the control he needs on those occasions. On the other hand, he thrived playing behind the striker and on the left side during this month’s international break with England. The new KDB role could be a perfect fit for Grealish. It would also allow Guardiola to select a more penetrating option, such as Jeremy Doku or Savinho, on the left side to pose a different question to Arsenal’s stubborn backline.
