Bernardo Silva played down any comparisons between Manchester City’s recent title tussles with Liverpool and the growing rivalry with Arsenal while Mikel Arteta’s side apparently adopts a negative, and ultimately unsuccessful, approach.
“The difference? I don’t know. Maybe that Liverpool have already won a Premier League, Arsenal haven’t. That Liverpool have won a Champions League, Arsenal haven’t,” the Manchester City midfielder told TNT Sports after Sunday’s gripping 2-2 draw, according to The Standard’s Matt Verri.
“Liverpool always faced us face to face to try to win the games, so by this perspective, the games against Arsenal haven’t been like the ones we had and have against Liverpool.
“So yes, maybe a different rivalry.”
Silva expressed his irritation when Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber followed some of his other teammates in going to the ground and calling for treatment, and he picked up a yellow card for his protests. In addition to the delays this caused, Arsenal sat deep after Leandro Trossard was sent off near the end of the first half and subsequently surrendered 28 shots while attempting no efforts on Ederson’s goal. City almost had 90% possession in the second period.
Arteta worked with Silva while he served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager. He took over Arsenal in December 2019.
“There was only one team that came to play football,” Silva complained.
“The other came to play to the limits of what was possible to do and allowed by the referee, unfortunately. We’re not happy as we wanted the three points, but personally, I’m happy with the way we came to play and faced the game. I’m glad we always enter the pitch to try to win every match.”