Kevin De Bruyne plows Mikel Arteta in a touchline spat and points in the manager’s face
Kevin De Bruyne expressed little affection for his former assistant manager Mikel Arteta when Arsenal’s manager prevented him from gaining possession of the ball during their match against Manchester City.
During their top-of-the-table matchup, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta engaged in a touchline scuffle.
Arteta prevented De Bruyne from retrieving the ball for a quick throw-in early in the second half at the Emirates with the score 1-1. The Gunners manager suffered a chest push after kicking the ball further away.
He then engaged in a verbal dispute with De Bruyne, who eventually snatched the ball and pointed at him. The conflict was soon resolved, but Arteta’s disposition will not have improved.
MY MIDFIELDER 🫡 pic.twitter.com/uWN1od5slv
— Charlotte🖤 (@charlottemcfc5) February 15, 2023
Jack Grealish’s shot later in the second half deflected off Takehiro Tomiyasu’s leg and through Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal, before Erling Haaland added a third for City.
De Bruyne capitalized on a weak Tomiyasu back pass to chip Ramsdale and give the visitors the lead in the opening period.
After Ederson fouled Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka equalized from the penalty spot just before halftime. However, City took the lead after the restart.
The goals scored by Grealish and Haaland propelled Pep Guardiola’s team to the top of the Premier League for the first time in a long time, despite having played one more game than their title rivals.
They still have to host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in late April in what could be a straight shootout for the title if their outcomes are identical. The Gunners are currently in first place.
Kevin De Bruyne plows Mikel Arteta in a touchline spat and points in the manager’s face
