Kevin De Bruyne says he's not 'worried' about the threat of Arsenal in the upcoming Premier League season following their defeat in the Community Shield.
Arsenal beat Manchester City 4-1 on penalties to win the Community Shield ahead of the new Premier League campaign, which begins on Friday.
The Blues kick off the new season away at Vincent Kompany's Burnley as they look to win their fourth consecutive title.
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The Gunners, who pushed Pep Guardiola's team all the way before falling short in the run-in last season, are considered their main rivals for the Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta has strengthened his squad ahead of the new season, having snapped up Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
But De Bruyne isn't 'worried' about the North London outfit, claiming 'eight or nine' teams could challenge them in the 2023/24 term.
Asked if he sees Arsenal being their main contenders for the season ahead, the Belgium replied: "It's about eight or nine teams. So... I'm not worried about them at all."
De Bruyne, however, praised Arsenal's business this summer, hailing Rice, Havertz and Timber, who all played in the Community Shield.
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"I think they are good players," he said on Arsenal's trio of signings. "They look at what they need and they have bought them.
"I think they started all three, so that means they are big signings for them. Everybody is looking at their own team and every team has so much money, so everybody is always spending in this league and we know that.
"It gets tougher every year. One way or another, we try to maintain where we are."
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Topics: Kevin De Bruyne, Football, Manchester City, Arsenal
Nasir Jabbar