Erling Haaland tactical tweak vs Arsenal gives Man City opponents another problem to worry about

It felt like Erling Haaland was never going to score against Arsenal, as he missed a procession of chances in Manchester City's huge win to take control of the title race.

Haaland would convert in the 94th minute to add gloss to a dominant City performance, breaking the record for goals scored in a 38-game Premier League season and leaving him one goal off the all-time record of 34 in a single season. His next goal will be his 50th for City, and he would usually be the headline story on a day where the title momentum swung firmly in the Blues' favour.

However this was a big game, and when the big games come around at the Etihad, Kevin De Bruyne usually steps up. With two goals and an assist, De Bruyne sent a message that he remains the best player in the squad.

ALSO READ: Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland proved Man City are just too good for the Premier League

De Bruyne's brilliant run through the middle and laser-focussed finish was hardly a surprise, even if it was still a goal that few players in the world could score. His cross for John Stones' second and his cool finish to make it three were also actions to be expected of the Belgian. What was more notable, then, was the fact that Haaland was playing more of a provider role against Arsenal and ended with two assists on the night.

Haaland's control from Stones' long ball and smart lay-off for De Bruyne was as good a piece of build-up play he has produced all season, and his dropping deep was a key factor in City creating space against Arsenal. The Stones long ball, Haaland control and De Bruyne burst into space has now bamboozled Bayern Munich and Arsenal in the space of a week, while Haaland's all-round play was by far his best in any game so far for City.

Guar