Man City reaction to Kevin De Bruyne absence makes Arsenal difference clear

Kevin De Bruyne was at his scintillating best on Wednesday night at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola's decision to mix things up and adopt a tactic which undid Arsenal's high press worked to devastating effect and De Bruyne was at the heart of it. His link-up play with Erling Haaland this season has been sensational but even those numb to the Manchester City dominance must have allowed themselves to enjoy what they were seeing.

In truth, this season has been no different from the several which have come before, for De Bruyne. His creative ability is second to none and has become an even bigger threat with Haaland at the club.

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This is why you would have been forgiven for fearing the worst when Guardiola announced the Belgian was not fit enough to travel down to London on Sunday. Chosen in his place was Julian Alvarez who has seen his chances limited somewhat thanks to Haaland's form.

However, he has by no means disgraced himself when picked. Alvarez has all the energy and his end product is not to be sniffed at either.

Unsurprisingly, the Argentine slipped into the team seamlessly and Guardiola's men did not look like a side who were missing a creative spark. The Blues just carried on, as expected, against a tough Fulham team.

Watching from the sidelines, Guardiola should have let himself have a brief moment to believe the treble is possible. If you compare how City played on Sunday with how Arsenal have played without their key players like William Saliba currently or Thomas Partey earlier this season, the difference is night and day.

Without Saliba on Wednesday night, the Gunners' defence fell in on itself. This was never a concern for the Blues.

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