In a thrilling encounter that ended in a 2-2 draw, Bernardo Silva expressed his disappointment and frustration with Arsenal's playing style following the contentious match at the Etihad Stadium. The rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool has been well-documented, but Silva believes the competitive dynamic with Arsenal is evolving into something distinctly different.

“There was only one team that came to play football,” Silva remarked, clearly unfazed by the high-stakes atmosphere. He pointed fingers at Arsenal's strategy, suggesting they prioritized gritty play over genuine football. “The other team played to the limits of what was permissible by the referee. Unfortunately, we only came away with a draw, which was the best we could get, given the context of how the match ended.”

Silva also took a moment to highlight the disparity between Liverpool's recent successes and Arsenal's struggles. “Maybe the rivalry feels different because Liverpool has already won a championship, and Arsenal has not. They’ve also lifted the Champions League trophy while Arsenal is still chasing that dream. With Liverpool, it’s always been a face-to-face battle for victory. The matches against Arsenal simply don’t carry the same weight,” he stated.

The game itself was a rollercoaster affair, with City’s Erling Haaland opening the scoring early on. Arsenal leveled the game through a curling strike from Riccardo Calafiori, only to take the lead just before halftime thanks to Gabriel Magalhaes. Yet City managed to equalize in the dying moments of the match with a dramatic goal from John Stones, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.

Silva found himself amidst the controversy when he was involved in a pivotal moment leading to Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard's red card. Trossard received his second yellow for a foul on Silva, forcing Arsenal to finish the game with ten men.

Despite the draw, Silva remained optimistic about Manchester City's performance. “We genuinely wanted those three points. Personally, I’m satisfied with how our team played; we always aim to win,” he commented. However, he couldn't shake his displeasure toward the officiating. Silva highlighted an incident that led to Arsenal's first goal, mentioning a lapse in communication with referee decisions that he believed contributed to their defensive lapse.

His irritation didn’t stop there. Silva recalled another contentious moment that allowed Arsenal to score, which he felt should have been dealt with by the officials. “What frustrates me the most is that we’ve been assured by UEFA at the start of every season that they will keep tighter control over these kinds of situations. It’s disappointing when things don’t happen as promised.”

As expectations mount for both teams as they navigate the remainder of the season, Silva's comments reflect growing tensions in a fierce rivalry that just might be on the verge of transformation. The battle for supremacy in the Premier League continues, and it’s clear that these high-profile clashes will remain pivotal in the title race.