Kevin de Bruyne doesn't think that Manchester City have had to change their game to incorporate Erling Haaland and has warned Premier League clubs, including league leaders Arsenal, that the Cityzens will once again be doing their utmost to win the title.
Haaland signed for the Cityzens in the summer, whilst Gabriel Jesus moved south to join Mikel Arteta's project at the Emirates. Both strikers have made impressive contributions to their new clubs in that time.
Although Jesus has only found the net five times in 11 Premier League appearances, he's had a huge impact on the players at Arsenal, with the Gunners playing their best football in years. On the other hand, Haaland is already on a mammoth 17 goals in the league, but despite that fact, City sit two points behind Arsenal in the proceedings.
READ MORE: Three Arsenal players Unai Emery may sign at Aston Villa including ambitious Kieran Tierney move
Nevertheless, whilst Jesus and Haaland are vastly different players, De Bruyne doesn't think that City have had to change the way they play all that much.
"I don't think it is really different. I think it is just different players," the Belgian said, as cited by our colleagues at the MEN. "We have played with a false nine, but we have also played with Gabriel Jesus up front or with Raheem. So, it is maybe not the same as Erling. But if you see Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal, he is a real number nine. It depends on the games, and now we play with a real out-and-out striker. He makes different movements, so I think you have to adapt a little bit to the way he wants to play also, but I think it is going quite well."
With Haaland in great form, De Bruyne thinks that City are ready to mount another title charge this season despite Arsenal's good form.
"Everybody knows what [Erling] brings," he added. "He brings goals, he brings presence, and that is maybe important in the tight games.
"In another way, I think this team is set up to go again and again. I think we have shown that over the last seven or eight years. Even if we didn't win it, we were second or third. We are always fighting to go again, and it is a squad with great humility. Even if we won last year, we don't take it for granted, and we want to go again. It is a nice feeling to win, and we try to achieve that every year. The hard work comes first, and the enjoyment maybe comes later."
Arsenal have done extremely well to secure 28 points from their opening 11 league games, but they have it all to do if they wish to mount a proper challenge to City.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal 'will do anything' to secure major midfield transfer as Edu eyes Tielemans alternative
Folarin Balogun and Charlie Patino send timely Arsenal reminder as Arteta seeks squad options
Arsenal handed huge boost ahead of PSV clash as Mikel Arteta eyes Europa League top spot
Arsenal warned against signing £53m Liverpool star amid major Jurgen Klopp transfer stance
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
