Silva BLOWS UP: Arsenal, favored in draw vs. City due to schedule

Bernardo Silva Criticizes the Schedule After the Draw Between Arsenal and Manchester City

Manchester City footballer Bernardo Silva expressed his frustration after the 1-1 draw against Arsenal, pointing out an alleged unfavorable treatment regarding rest time. The midfielder accused football officials of “not listening” and “lacking common sense and respect.” The Premier League encounter between City and Arsenal at the Emirates was played just 66 hours after City beat Napoli in the Champions League. On the other hand, Arsenal had two more days of preparation, having started their European campaign two days before City. The match saw Gabriel Martinelli score in stoppage time to equalize Erling Haaland’s opening goal. However, Silva did not hold back his criticism.

The reality is that we can’t go into one of the most important matches of the season with such a disadvantage in terms of rest. It’s not fair to play one of these matches like this. It’s simply not right.

Bernardo Silva

Silva added that the difference in recovery time was a key factor. The player felt they were not in the same physical condition as Arsenal, which affected their performance. He also mentioned Khusanov’s injury as an example of the physical demands of these matches.

Silva also commented on the difficulty of programming and the need for fairer treatment in matches of this magnitude, where rest is essential for optimal performance. The footballer emphasized that, although they understand the demands of the different competitions and the economic needs, what they are asking for is common sense, especially in such an important match. Silva stated that they did not feel in the same physical conditions as their rival. The player also revealed that they have tried to express their concerns to those responsible, but feel they are not being heard. They concluded that, out of respect for the clubs and the fairness of the competition, what happened was not ideal. Arsenal are five points behind Liverpool in the Premier League after the first five matchdays, while City are eight points off the lead.