Bernardo Silva slammed Arsenal’s approach to their draw with Manchester City, as he took aim at the Gunners’ lack of trophies.
Mikel Arteta’s side came away from the Etihad Stadium with a point for the second consecutive season, though this time were on the verge of taking all three before John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser.
Arsenal sat back on the edge of their own box for the entirety of the second-half after Leandro Trossard was sent off just before the break, with the Belgian shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away.
City had close to 90% possession after half-time and registered 28 shots, though grew increasingly frustrated at the time-wasting tactics from the Gunners.
Arsenal are once again viewed as the most likely challengers to City, who are eyeing a fifth straight Premier League title, and they sit only two points off Pep Guardiola’s side, despite already facing the champions, Tottenham and Aston Villa away from home.
However, Silva was unimpressed with the Arsenal tactics and, when asked about the difference between City’s rivalry with the Gunners compared to the showdowns with Liverpool in recent years, pointed to the trophy cabinets.
Silva told TNT Sports: “The difference? I don't know. Maybe that Liverpool have already won a Premier League, Arsenal haven't. That Liverpool have won a Champions League, Arsenal haven't.
“Liverpool always faced us face to face to try to win the games, so by this perspective the games against Arsenal haven't been like the ones we had and have against Liverpool.
“So yes, maybe a different rivalry.”
Silva was booked late in the match for his protests towards referee Michael Oliver after Jurrien Timber followed a number of his team-mates in going down off the ball and calling for treatment as the seconds ticked away.
City were also angered by the two Arsenal goals, which came after Erling Haaland had fired the hosts in front. Riccardo Calafiori equalised with a wonderful strike, though Kyle Walker claimed he had not been allowed time to return to his position after being summoned by Oliver, before Gabriel then headed home from a corner.
“There was only one team that came to play football,” Silva said.
“The other came to play to the limits of what was possible to do and allowed by the referee, unfortunately. We're not happy as we wanted the three points, but personally I'm happy with the way we came to play and faced the game. I'm glad we always enter the pitch to try to win every match.”
He added: “We had a goal conceded after the referee called our captain and then didn't allow him to recover his position. The second goal is already their usual block to our keeper allowed by the referee. And then the referee allowed a sequence of time-wasting events.
“The thing that bothers me the most is having a lot of meetings with the FA at the beginning of each season. They tell us they will control this kind of situation and will stop them, but at the end it doesn't have any worth. They say a lot but nothing happens.”
