Man City’s Bernardo Silva (bottom right) criticised Arsenal’s tactics in Sunday’s 2-2 draw
Paul ELLIS
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Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva criticised Arsenal’s defensive tactics and claimed that the rivalry between the two clubs is not yet as great as the clashes between the English champions and Liverpool in recent years.
Arsenal were seconds away from a first win at the Etihad Stadium since 2015 on Sunday when John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser rescued a 2-2 draw for City.
The Gunners retreated after being reduced to ten men by Leandro Trossard’s red card in first-half stoppage time.
Mikel Arteta’s team finished second behind City in the Premier League for the last two seasons.
But during Pep Guardiola’s tenure as City manager, Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool were the constant title rivals.
Under Klopp, the Reds won the Premier League for the first time in 30 years in 2020, adding to their 2019 Champions League triumph.
“The difference? I don’t know. Maybe that Liverpool have won the Premier League before and Arsenal haven’t. Maybe that Liverpool have won the Champions League before and Arsenal haven’t,” Silva told ESPN about the difference between the rivalries.
“Liverpool have always faced us head-on and tried to win the games. From that perspective, the games against Arsenal were not like the ones we had and have against Liverpool.”
Arsenal had just 12.5 per cent possession in the second half at the Etihad but frustrated City with a dogged defensive display as Guardiola’s men were often forced to resort to shots from outside the box.
Two Arsenal players, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz, became the first outfield players since records began in 2003 to fail to complete a single pass in at least 89 minutes of a Premier League match.
Manuel Akanji and Stones, among other City players, also spoke out about Arsenal’s “black arts” as the visitors attempted to buy time in the second half by going to the ground to receive treatment.
“There was only one team that came to play football,” Silva said. “The other came to play to the limits of what was possible and what the referee allowed.”
“But in the end we got a draw, the best we could have achieved given the final moments of the game.
“We are not satisfied because we wanted the three points, but personally I am happy with the way we performed and handled the game. I am happy that we always go out on the field and try to win every game.”
A draw was enough for Premier League leaders City to remain two points ahead of Arsenal, who are fourth after five games.
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