According to Kevin De Bruyne, defending the Premier League title is a big challenge for Man City, when rivals like Arsenal are reinforced with many quality players.
“I think they’re good players,” De Bruyne said when asked about Arsenal’s rookie trio – Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber – on ITV.
“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.”
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This summer, Arsenal spent $ 266 million to buy Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber. All three are under 24 years old, respectively, are England, Germany and the Netherlands national players. After three transfers, Arsenal became the most invested team in the player market.
In the English Super Cup match, Arsenal launched all three rookies to start. Man City opened the scoring in the 77th minute, but Leandro Trossard equalized 1-1 for the “Gunners” in the 90+11 minute. In the penalty shootout, Mikel Arteta’s team won 4-1. It was De Bruyne who missed Man City’s header.
Last season, Man City won all three times against Arsenal: 1-0 in the fourth round of the FA Cup, 3-1 and 4-1 in the Premier League. They finished last season with a treble of the Chanpions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
This summer, De Bruyne’s team 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.