After a dramatic finish in the derby between Manchester City and Arsenal, a chaotic third act unfolded on the pitch at the “Etihad” with continuous altercations, wrapped up by Bernardo Silva’s inflammatory statements against the Gunners.
Arsenal came close to securing a huge victory—both in points and psychological significance—at the “Etihad” on Sunday night (September 23), which would have propelled them alone to the top of the standings. However, in the 90+8′ minute, with the score at 2-1 in their favor, they conceded an equalizer from Stones.
This goal changed the dynamics as it allowed Manchester City to rise alone to 1st place while dropping the Londoners to 4th, with the pitch actually turning into a battleground after the final whistle, featuring players and coaching staffs from both teams.
September 23, 2024 12:23
The Arsenal players had intense complaints about having to play the entire second half with 10 players due to Trossard’s sending off (with a second yellow) in the 45+8′, while those from City criticized the overly defensive game from their opponents throughout the second half and the time-wasting tactics they employed to secure the match.
The “stay humble” comment made by Haaland towards Arteta at the center of the pitch was indicative of the tension that existed on the field after Oliver’s final whistle, with words that further ignited the clash between the two teams coming from Bernardo Silva’s mouth.
Bernardo Silva voted… Liverpool
The Portuguese international winger was asked about the rivalry that has intensified over the past two years between Manchester City and Arsenal, and he threw shade at the Londoners, comparing them and declaring them losers against… Liverpool.
“Liverpool has already won the Premier League and Arsenal has not. Also, during our fierce rivalry with Liverpool, they won the Champions League, something Arsenal has also not managed to do.
Liverpool always faced us as equals to win matches. From that perspective, our games against Arsenal do not resemble those with Liverpool, neither in previous years nor now,” Silva emphasized, who spoke extensively about the time-wasting tactics employed by the Londoners, the so-called… dark arts.
“It all started from the first second. From the first phase, we understood what was going to happen. We had one player injured after being brought down twice within 10 minutes.
We conceded a goal in a phase where the referee had called our captain to speak with him, and he couldn’t return to cover his position because they played the phase quickly.
On their second goal, they usually blocked our goalkeeper, which the referee allowed. Additionally, the referee allowed them to waste time through delays.
What annoys me the most is that at the beginning of the season, there are many meetings with the FA, and they tell us that they will monitor this situation and put an end to it, which does not happen. They say a lot, but nothing gets done.”