How Pep Guardiola Could Replace Kevin De Bruyne for Manchester City’s Showdown Against Arsenal
Manchester City may be without their midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne for one of the season’s biggest clashes, as he faces a fitness battle after picking up an adductor injury during the Champions League draw against Inter Milan. The Belgian felt discomfort after taking a shot, and despite finishing the first half, he was replaced by Phil Foden at halftime.
Speaking ahead of the Arsenal match, Guardiola didn’t provide much clarity on De Bruyne’s availability. “He feels a little bit better today, but we have not yet had training, and we will see. He could be [involved],” Guardiola said, though his tone left room for doubt.
If De Bruyne isn’t fit, City will need to explore their deep roster to fill the gap. While the loss of such a key player is a significant blow, City has several creative options to soften the impact.
One likely candidate is Ilkay Gundogan, who made his first Premier League start since rejoining City over the summer. Gundogan’s experience and intelligence could be crucial. Phil Foden, who has played just 90 minutes this season, is another option, and Bernardo Silva could drop into midfield alongside Rodri, with Mateo Kovacic adding steel against a formidable Arsenal side.
Here are three potential ways Guardiola could structure his team without De Bruyne for the Arsenal clash:
1. Minimal Changes
Guardiola may opt for the simplest solution—making just two adjustments to the starting XI that played Brentford last weekend. Rodri, expected to make his first Premier League start of the season, would slot into midfield, and Foden could come in as a direct replacement for De Bruyne.
With this setup, Kovacic might make way, while Gundogan, Savinho, and Erling Haaland retain their places in the starting lineup. This option maintains City’s balance without straying too far from their usual formula.
Predicted XI:
Rodri; Savinho, Gundogan, Foden, Grealish; Haaland
2. Prioritizing Control
If Guardiola chooses to prioritize control in De Bruyne’s absence, more drastic changes could be in store. Kovacic could partner with Rodri in midfield, while Bernardo Silva drops deeper to help dictate the tempo. This formation would allow City to dominate possession while neutralizing Arsenal’s threats.
Jeremy Doku would be brought in to offer width and take on Arsenal’s Ben White, giving City extra pace and creativity on the flanks. Meanwhile, Haaland and Foden would stay central, exploiting any spaces in Arsenal’s defense.
Predicted XI:
Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, Foden, Doku; Haaland
3. Blending Both Approaches
A balanced approach might be Guardiola’s preference, combining defensive control with attacking consistency. In this scenario, Rico Lewis could invert to join Rodri in midfield, while Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan take turns pushing forward. This structure offers both security and flexibility, allowing City to dominate possession while keeping their key attacking players in advanced positions.
Foden, Grealish, and Haaland would form a potent front trio, tasked with stretching Arsenal’s defense and creating chances.
Predicted XI:
Rodri; Bernardo, Foden, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland
With Kevin De Bruyne’s availability still in doubt, Guardiola has no shortage of tactical options to choose from. Whether it’s a minimal tweak or a complete reshuffle, the City manager will be keen to find the perfect balance to ensure his side can keep pace in the Premier League title race against a strong Arsenal team.
