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Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva took a dig at Arsenal after their 2-2 draw at the Etihad in the Premier League on Sunday, September 22. He pointed out the difference between City's rivalry with the Gunners and with Liverpool.
The Cityzens hosted the north London side on Sunday and it started well for them, with Erling Haaland netting in the ninth minute. Riccardo Calafiori then equalised in the 22nd minute with a stunning goal before Gabriel Magalhaes made it 2-1 for the visitors in the first-half stoppage time. However, Leandro Trossard was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the first half.
Mikel Arteta's side camped inside their box for the entire second half trying to protect their lead. They came close to succeeding before John Stones scored the equaliser in the eighth minute of stoppage time. After the game, Bernardo Silva pointed out the difference between Manchester City's rivalry with Arsenal and Liverpool, saying (via DaveOCKOP):
“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.
“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.”
The Gunners were also criticised for their pragmatic approach at the Etihad last season when they held Manchester City to a goalless draw. Eventually, they lost the Premier League title by two points.
Bernardo Silva slams match officials after Manchester City's draw against Arsenal
The clash between the two sides was filled with controversial moments throughout. Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has slammed the match officials for allowing Arsenal's apparent time-wasting tactics. He also claimed that the visitors' goals shouldn't have stood.
Silva said (via City Report):
“It all started in the very first second. In the first action we realised what was going to happen. We had a player injured after they sent him to the ground twice in ten minutes. We had a goal conceded after the referee called our captain and then didn't allow him to recover his position. The second goal is already their usual block to our keeper, which was allowed by the referee.
"Then the referee allowed a sequence of time-wasting events… The thing that bothers me the most is having a lot of meetings with the FA at the beginning of each season. They tell us they will control this kind of situation and will stop them, but in the end it doesn't have any worth. They say a lot but NOTHING happens!”
With the draw, both sides remain unbeaten but Manchester City have now dropped points. They still sit atop the Premier League table while the Gunners are fourth, two points behind City.
