Kevin de Bruyne said Manchester City were at their best in the 4-1 win over Arsenal on Wednesday night, a result which has tipped the Premier League title race in the defending champions' favour.
De Bruyne scored twice at the Etihad – the first a superb low finish – either side of providing the free-kick for John Stones to head home City's second after a VAR review.
Rob Holding pulled one back for Arsenal, before Erling Haaland added another record to his debut season, his 33rd goal setting a new milestone for most goals scored in a 38-game Premier League campaign. It was the Norwegian's 49th goal in all competitions.
A seventh straight league victory moves City to within two points of leaders Arsenal with two games in hand, and very much on course to retain the title.
"When they play man to man we just have to go a little bit longer because there’s no place for short passes. The first half we were really good," De Bruyne, 31, said. "We could have scored more, but luckily the second goal wasn’t offside and it changed the game.
"In the second half it was probably about 50/50 and I think we didn’t give much away to them. They’re a class team and hard to play against. We had to be at our best today and we were.
"We set up a little differently. I had more freedom today to go where the space was, depending who was putting pressure from them."
While City are now firm favourites for the title and are firmly on track for the treble – Pep Guardiola's side face rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final and Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals – De Bruyne insisted now is not the time to lose focus.
"It’s too long left. It’s so hard," the Belgian midfielder said. "A lot of things can happen. It’s still seven games, that’s a lot of points and we’re still behind them.
"I know this team and we will not give in until it's mathematically done. Our schedule is hectic, there’s a lot of things going on and now we need to prepare for Sunday and Fulham."
City manager Guardiola had previously been keen to stress that Arsenal were title favourites, given the Gunners had secured the points regardless of City's games in hand. But he admitted after Wednesday's win that City are right where he wants them to be.
“It depends on us. Until today I prefer the position for Arsenal because if Arsenal beat us it is in their hands. Now it is in our destiny," Guardiola said. “I have a feeling the next three games will dictate a lot.
“Fulham have come from the Championship and this season have been amazing. We play at home against Leeds and West Ham. We feel comfortable here with the crowd. The next three games will be really important.
“The most important thing is the destiny is in our hands. When you arrive at the end of the season, most important thing is it depends on us. We still have seven games.”
Man City v Arsenal player ratings
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MAN CITY: Ederson 7: Biggest headache in opening half came from manager Pep Guardiola giving the keeper an earful on touchline for reasons unclear. Biggest in second was picking ball out of net after Holding scored. Apart from that, not much to do. AFP -
Kyle Walker 8: England right-back focused on his defensive duties here in disciplined performance with his forays forward more restrained than usual. Part of an excellent City performance at the back. AFP -
John Stones 8: Fine header just before half-time to put City two up that had initially been disallowed for offside but then given by VAR. AFP -
Ruben Dias 8: Absolutely needless booking just before half-time for kicking out at White while on ground. But that was his only aberration as he helped keep Gunners dangermen Martinelli and Jesus very quiet. Reuters -
Manuel Akanji 9: Playing on the left to keep eye on Gunners dangerman Saka which he did with aplomb. Immaculate performance from Swiss defender. AFP -
Rodri 8: The water-carrier in midfield allowing Grealish, Silva and De Bruyne to rip through Arsenal at will in front of him. Booked late in game. Getty -
Ilkay Gundogan 8: Excellent run and ball into box to set-up one of Haaland’s four first-half chances. Provided City’s solid midfield base alongside Rodri. AP -
Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring the opening goal for Manchester City against Arsenal at Etihad Stadium. AP -
Bernardo Silva 8: Buzzed around from start, making dangerous runs and faultless with his distribution. Gave old teammate Zinchenko a torrid time. Getty -
Jack Grealish 8: Playing with huge amount of confidence at moment and caused England teammate White problems throughout. Involved in a few flashpoints with Arsenal players and booked for clashing with Partey in second half. Reuters -
Erling Haaland 9: Supplied the pass for both of De Bruyne’s goals and his link-up play with Belgian ripped Arsenal to shreds. Denied three times by Ramsdale in first half and curled another effort just wide. Denied by keeper again early in second but goal finally arrived in injury-time – his 49th of the season. Getty -
SUBS: Julian Alvarez (On for De Bruyne 80’) N/A. Getty -
Riyad Mahrez (On for Grealish 87’) N/A. Getty -
ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 7: De Bruyne's opening goal went in at his near post but was superb strike in his defence. No chance with other goals. Saved four times from Haaland before finally being beaten by the Norwegian late on. AP -
Ben White 5: Very good block to deny De Bruyne a second goal in opening half. Narrowly played Stones onside for City’s second. Struggled against Grealish. AFP -
Gabriel 4: De Bruyne skipped past Brazilian as if he wasn’t there before scoring first and same thing happened later in half and needed teammate White to come to his rescue. Dreadful game from centre-half who seems lost without William Saliba alongside him. Getty -
Rob Holding 5: Out-muscled by Haaland ahead of De Bruyne’s early goal and brushed aside again by Norwegian later in half but Ramsdale came to rescue with save. Unlikely scorer of consolation goal. PA -
Oleksandr Zinchenko 4: Up against former club and found old teammate Silva a tough opponent. No opportunity to push forward such was City’s attacking threat from first whistle. Reuters -
Thomas Partey 4: Early penalty shout for City when he collided with De Bruyne in box but referee/VAR decided Belgian had committed foul. Curled chance wide from edge of box in 35th minute. Looked a booking waiting to happen and the yellow card duly arrived after break following shove match with Grealish. AP -
Granit Xhaka 4: Squared up to Grealish in first half which was more frustration at just how dominant City were. Drilled shot from outside box straight at Ederson just after break which was his last significant contribution before being taken off. Getty -
Martin Odegaard 4: Arsenal’s captain and chief playmaker just could not get foothold in the game and City controlled midfield. Gave away possession ahead of City’s third goal. AP -
Bukayo Saka 3: One of the Premier League’s players of the season failed to make any impact, like the rest of Arsenal’s attack to be fair. Very well marked by Akanji. Curled free-kick high and wide in 80th minute. AFP -
Gabriel Martinelli 3: Another one of Arsenal’s best players this season who disappeared on the big occasion. Barely touched the ball the entire game until being hooked on the hour. AP -
Gabriel Jesus 3: He and Martinelli touched the ball fewer than any other players on pitch in opening 45 minutes. Cut a despondent figure at his old ground. Reuters -
SUBS: Jorginho (On for Xhaka 60’) 5: Not type of player that is going change a game with penetrating runs or flashes of great skill but solid enough. Reuters -
Leandro Trossard (On for Martinelli 60’) 6: Provided a little bit more attacking energy for Gunners. Getty -
Emile Smith Rowe (On for Odegaard 78’) N/A. Getty -
Reiss Nelson (On for Bukayo Saka 78’) N/A. PA -
Eddie Nketiah (On for Jesus 81’) N/A. Flashed one shot across face of goal. Getty
Reserving special praise for "master" Haaland, who assisted both of De Bruyne's goals, Guardiola said he was delighted with his entire team.
“Kevin is so important. When we can find Kevin and run, he is unstoppable," he said. "Jack [Grealish] and Bernardo [Silva] found the momentum to punish them, but Kevin told me he had some niggles in his legs, so I made a substitution.
“I don’t underestimate Arsenal for one second. I know how good they are. I give incredible credit to what they have done. I prefer to think they didn’t have their best level because we were really good.
“If we play like today we are an incredibly competitive team but there are many good teams around the world.
“To have this mentality, this is the most satisfaction I have as a manager. Of course we want to win but how they behave, I am really impressed because I know how difficult it is.”
