Kevin De Bruyne discusses Man City partnership with Erling Haaland as Manu Akanji Arsenal start explained

Here are your Manchester City evening headlines on Thursday, April 27.

Kevin De Bruyne felt his partnership with Erling Haaland proved so fruitful against Arsenal because they were able to exploit their man-marking strategy and run at the defence.

Both men got on the scoresheet in the 4-1 win against the Gunners that put City in control of the title race, with Haaland twice setting goals up for De Bruyne, who also created John Stones' goal on the stroke of half-time. The combination play between De Bruyne, in an advanced role, and Haaland caused Arsenal problems all night. The striker was a terrifying force of nature when running at Rob Holding or Gabriel, but he also unleashed De Bruyne at times with clever passes.

READ MORE: Guardiola is already achieving his City aim with Haaland

Haaland held up a long pass from Stones before playing De Bruyne in for the first goal and then also slid his partner in for City's third, beginning to repay some of the assists that have come his way for his 49 goals this season. The record-breaking striker was certainly more involved in the build-up play against Arsenal, but De Bruyne believes the state of the game allowed the two to wreak such havoc.

"He’s been involved before – it just depends who you are playing against," he said. "There is more space in behind with Arsenal as they go to man to man. That meant there were more opportunities for me to run into the space and get the ball. I think we created enough chances. I think last night there was a little bit more space, the way Arsenal pressed."

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Pep Guardiola said that Manchester City's game with Bayern Munich convinced him that Manu Akanji was the best option to go up against Bukayo Saka.

Guard