De Bruyne concerned about Arsenal
"I think they are good players," De Bruyne said when asked about Arsenal's rookie trio - Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber - on ITV channel on August 8. "Arsenal look at what they need to find the right people. They put all three starting points. That means all three are big signings."
De Bruyne also admitted that Premier League teams are financially well off and ready to invest in the transfer market. Therefore, defending the championship is a big challenge for Man City. "The league gets tougher with each season," added the two-time Premier League Player of the Year midfielder. "One way or another, we have to maintain our position."
During the summer transfer window, Arsenal spent $ 266 million to buy Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber. The three players are all under the age of 24, and are all England, Germany and the Netherlands nationals. After three transfers, Arsenal became the most invested team in the player market.
On August 6, in the English Super Cup match, Arsenal let all three rookies start. Man City opened the scoring in the 77th minute, but Leandro Trossard equalized for the "Gunners" in the 90+11 minute. In the penalty shootout, "Gunners" won 4-1. It was De Bruyne who missed Man City's header.
Last season, Man City won all three times against Arsenal. De Bruyne and his teammates beat the "Gunners" 1-0 in the fourth round of the FA Cup, before winning 3-1 and 4-1 in the Premier League. Man City ended last season with a treble of the Chanpions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
This summer, De Bruyne's team just spent $ 130 million to buy midfielder Mateo Kovacic and defender Josko Gvardiol. In the English Super Cup match, Gvardiol could not participate because he had not practiced with the new team.
Man City will start the campaign to protect the Premier League with a away game at Burnley, on August 11. Meanwhile, Arsenal took on Nottingham a day later. On October 7, "Gunners" will host Man City. The two teams will play the second leg of the Premier League on March 30, 2024, at Etihad Stadium.
