Bernardo Silva spoke to Brazilian media after the match (Image: TNT SPORTS)
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has launched an attack on Arsenal for their time-wasting tactics during their 2-2 draw – and mocked the Gunners for their lack of trophies in recent seasons compared to Liverpool.
John Stones equalised in the 98th minute after City dominated the ten-man Arsenal goal in a second-half display at the Etihad Stadium. The home side had 28 shots to the visitors' none in the second half.
But for all their possession, City will be disappointed to see how little they asked of goalkeeper David Raya in a stormy second half until Stones' late equaliser.
Mikel Arteta's side appeared to deliberately try to run out the clock in the second half as they chased a famous away win in their bid to win a first league title since 2004. Several players went down with cramp, much to the frustration of the home crowd.
And their approach to the game while reduced to 10 men drew a scathing response from Silva, who accused the Gunners of throwing the game away.
The Portuguese international said after the match: “There was only one team that came to play football. The other came to play within the limits of what was possible and allowed by the referee, unfortunately.”
“But in the end we got a draw, the best we could get given the context of the final moments of the match.
“We are not happy because we wanted the three points, but personally I am happy with the way we played and how we approached the game. I am happy that we always go on the pitch to try to win every game.”
Silva claimed Arsenal's deception began as soon as the second-half kicked off and accused referee Michael Oliver of allowing the away team to run down the clock.
He added: “It all started from the first second. From the first action we understood what was going to happen. We had a player injured after sending him to the ground twice in 10 minutes.
John Stones saved a point for Manchester City in the 98th minute (Image: GETTY)
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has made his frustration with Arsenal's tactics clear (Image: GETTY)
“We conceded a goal after the referee called our captain and did not allow him to recover his position. The second goal is already their usual block on our goalkeeper allowed by the referee.
“The referee then allowed a series of events to happen which wasted time. What bothers me most is having so many meetings with the FA at the start of every season.
“They tell us that they will control this kind of situation and stop them, but in the end, it is useless. They say a lot of things but nothing happens.”
Silva again criticised Arsenal by comparing the Londoners to their other title rivals Liverpool, who he said won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020.
Things got heated between Manchester City and Arsenal players in the second half (Image: GETTY)
Arsenal, on the other hand, have never won Europe's top competition and have not won a league title in two decades. Their last trophy was the FA Cup in 2020.
“The difference? I don't know,” Silva said. “Maybe Liverpool have already won the Premier League, not Arsenal. Liverpool have won the Champions League, not Arsenal.”
“Liverpool have always played us head-to-head to try and win games, so from that point of view the games against Arsenal have not been like the ones we have had and have against Liverpool. So yeah, maybe a different rivalry.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1951890/Bernardo-Silva-Man-City-Arsenal-tactics