Guardiola maintains contact between De Bruyne and Haaland

Pep Guardiola hailed the devastating link-up between Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland following Manchester City’s decisive win over Arsenal.

Haaland set up De Bruyne twice before the Norwegian scored himself as the champions beat the leaders 4-1 to move two points behind them with two games in hand.

[Kevin] is a special player, Guardiola said. – Today was a game where we expected high pressure [from Arsenal]. When pressed high, its long balls, second balls.

We were able to win it in contact with Kevin, and then we got to run with Erling. Its an incredible threat in front, the connection with them, and Kevin was brilliant.

Watch: Haaland sets goal record in 38-match season

We played a really good game in all aspects – concentration, plays, defense, how aggressive we were to create a good environment.

From the beginning we started really well, we read the game well. Our growth was much, much better than [in the reverse fixture] At the Emirates when we couldn’t do it. Considering our opponents, we put in a fantastic performance.

Guardiola’s decision to select Manuel Akanji at left-back paid off as Man City limited Arsenal to just two shots, one of which was a consolation goal from Gunners defender Rob Holding.

It was so difficult to decide, Guardiola added. I thought a lot about placing Aymer [Laporte] in that position. Our cooperation with Aymer is the best we have.

But when I saw Manuel play against Kingsley Coman and Leroy [Sane]Against Bayern Munich, how strong he was in a defensive situation one on one, I decided OK, [Bukayo] Saka is an incredible threat and we need a guy who can last one on one like Kyle [Walker] and [Gabriel] Martinelli because they are so good. And we could distribute more players inside, but on the sides we should manage these two players because they are amazing.

Man City continue their journey to become only the second team to win the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup behind neighbors Manchester United in 1998/99.

Of course winning helps and being in the semi-finals of the Champions League, in the final of the FA Cup helps a lot, said Guardiola. There is almost no fatigue.

But the reality – it may seem naive – is that they are two points ahead of us. They were still not at the top of the table. Of course we had an incredible win and we have two games in hand, but you have to win [them].

I’d love to have these two games with six points and then ahead of him [Mikel Arteta].

In reality they are [in front]and we cannot lose our focus. Tomorrow the focus will be on a good recovery, rest and preparation for Fulham because now it was there, it’s definitely in our hands and when it’s in our hands we have to use it.

Also in this series

Part 1: Why City have more than three points at Arsenal
Part 3: Arteta: We’re not going to give up
Part 4: Haaland sets goal record in 38-game season
Part 5: De Bruyne and Haaland put Man City in control of title race