Bernardo Silva has launched a pointed critique at Arsenal, telling the Gunners it is time they "man up" and start winning silverware, while simultaneously revealing his belief that Manchester City would have claimed the Premier League title this season had they not been in a "transitional period." The Portuguese midfielder, who is departing City after winning 15 major trophies including the Champions League and six league titles, sees Arsenal's emergence as inevitable rather than impressive.
Speaking to The Athletic ahead of City's FA Cup final clash with Chelsea on Saturday, Silva acknowledged Arsenal's five-year progression under Mikel Arteta but made clear his assessment of their challenge. "They've been growing and it's a team that has been together for, what, five years now, so it's only natural that they would man up a little bit and start challenging for titles," Silva said. His comments reflect City's mindset as they sit two points adrift of Arsenal with two fixtures remaining in what has been a tightly contested title race.
City's Transitional Season and Consistency Concerns
Silva was candid about City's campaign, insisting that without their mistakes and transitional nature, they would have secured the league. "I do believe our main rivals were Liverpool by far. I also believe, and I know this is very subjective, that if we were not in a transitional season and if we didn't make so many mistakes, we would have won this league." The midfielder's assessment adds weight to discussions about City's midfield rebuilding and the departure of long-serving players.
The controversy surrounding Arsenal's victory over West Ham last weekend also drew Silva's ire, though he conceded that goalkeeper David Raya was fouled. Rather than dispute the outcome, Silva focused his frustration on inconsistent officiating across the Premier League. He highlighted multiple breaches within the same passage of play and criticized the lack of uniformity in how referees enforce the rules throughout a season. This inconsistency, he suggested, undermines the quality of English football's product.
Time-Wasting and the Modern Game
Silva also echoed concerns raised by Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler about time-wasting tactics, pointing to excessive delays during throw-ins, free kicks, goal kicks, and corners. "I wouldn't say that's the way the game should be going," he remarked, suggesting that deliberate stalling tactics detract from the entertainment value that makes the Premier League the world's leading competition. His dual criticism—both of refereeing inconsistency and gamesmanship—presents a broader commentary on the sport's evolution.
With City requiring Arsenal to drop points against either Burnley or Crystal Palace to keep their title hopes alive, Silva's final weeks at the Etihad Stadium will be defined by whether the club can mount a comeback. The 30-year-old's departure to Barcelona on a free transfer looms, marking the end of an era for one of City's most decorated players, even as the title race remains finely balanced heading into the final stretch.
