After a tense Wednesday night confrontation with Mikel Arteta, Kevin De Bruyne has made his feelings about the Arsenal player known. As Manchester City defeated Arsenal 3-1, moving them atop the Premier League on goal differential, the midfield wizard shoved Arteta.
De Bruyne scored the game’s first goal and provided the assist for Erling Haaland’s third goal to lead his team to a stunning victory in north London.
For the second time in as many games this season, Pep Guardiola defeated his understudy to retake the top place from the Gunners following a protracted pursuit.
During the crucial game, tensions were obvious because Arteta is prone to crying on the sidelines.
But, De Bruyne allowed his feelings to get the better of him early in the second half, pushing his former coach after the latter lost the ball at a throw-in and slowed down the game.
Yet, the Belgian international has only had positive things to say about Arteta’s Arsenal since the match, calling them “amazing.”
“I believe that every year gets tougher because of the caliber of the clubs,” he remarked.
“Everyone does business so well and receives such high quality. Playing against every team is difficult.
When we play a team, they all want to defeat us if we continue to play as we have in the past.
“Because we are aware of this, carrying on as we are is excellent, but we must continue.
Arsenal is a special team. It is challenging to play against them because they play such excellent football.
“Young boys, they’re very energetic. They carry out the necessary tasks.
“In my opinion, we performed better in the second half while they performed better in the first. We possessed that quality when it mattered most.
Both City and Arsenal are tied with 51 points, but Guardiola’s goal differential of 36 is higher than the Londoners’ 26.
The latter, though, have a game in hand, so if they win against Everton on March 1, they would still have the title.
Later this season, when Arsenal plays City in the rematch at the Etihad Stadium, tensions will be at an all-time high.