Kevin De Bruyne right now is having that effect on Premier League crowds.
This was not the Belgian’s most impressive performance in a City shirt by far. David Silva, his midfield compadre, on this occasion was the busier, more noticeable figure at the Emirates.
But each time De Bruyne got the ball on Thursday night in frozen north London there was a murmur of apprehension. The shivers from the Arsenal crowd – what few there were of them in a subdued Emirates – were not just because of the sub-zero temperatures.
The Belgian, favourite for the Footballer of the Year gong this year, was a quietly influential presence in this game. Lurking, waiting for his moment.
De Bruyne so far this season has 11 goals in all competitions, and 14 assists in the league alone, which puts him top of that table.
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As City ripped Arsenal apart for the second time in five days in the first half at the Emirates on Thursday night, Bernardo Silva, David Silva and Leroy Sane, De Bruyne, unusually, was heavy involved in only one of those goals – the delicious five-man move for Sane’s tap in. Mind you, that beautifully timed pass was played between a defender’s legs – as if to show what he can do.
By then the Arsenal crowd were numbed into giving up – and not by the snow. This was worse than Wembley on Sunday. As their demoralised players trooped of at half-time some sang: “You’re not fit to wear the shirt.”
De Bruyne’s influence on this team, always huge, has grown even more this season. City’s players now seem to instinctively look for the 26-year-old.
What is often overlooked with Bruyne is his work rate. The Belgian battles – often winning the ball back when he drops deep, his timing of a tackle sublime.
In truth, City rarely needed to get out of first gear on Thursday night – but still there was De Bruyne at one point berating his defence when Arsenal got through. At another he was the man leading the press on the Gunners’ panicky defence.
Then, when he got the ball, there was the look up and instant low ball into the galloping Sergio Aguero’s path. No adjustment was needed as the Argentine fired into the side netting when he should have done better.
It was on the break, again, where City crucified Arsenal so often. David Silva’s lethal cleverness and De Bruyne’s ability to spot the killer pass meant that Arsene Wenger’s men could never relax.
So easy was it at times on Thursday night – at half time it looked like it might get embarrassing for the Gunners – that on a couple of occasions De Bruyne lost control of the ball – probably because he had too much time. Pep Guardiola on the touchline, rarely a happy figure, was angered.
He and De Bruyne are inching towards their first title in England. Last night, De Bruyne barely had to even draw breath.