‘It’s Just Not Right!’ – Bernardo Silva Claims Arsenal Had ‘Unfair Advantage’ vs Man City in Emotionally-Charged Rant

Bernardo Silva Slams Scheduling After Arsenal vs Man City Clash

The Emirates Stadium was rocking on Sunday evening, and for good reason. Arsenal supporters had just watched Gabriel Martinelli fire home a dramatic 93rd-minute equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw against reigning champions Manchester City. It was a result that stretched Arsenal’s unbeaten run against Pep Guardiola’s side to six matches, but what followed after the final whistle quickly shifted the spotlight from the pitch to the press room.

Bernardo Silva, one of City’s most experienced and articulate voices, did not hold back in his post-match comments. For him, this wasn’t just about two dropped points or a last-minute lapse. Instead, Silva launched into a passionate and emotionally-charged rant about what he called an “unfair advantage” handed to Arsenal in terms of recovery time before the clash.

“It’s just not right,” Silva insisted. “We cannot come into one of the most important games of the season with such a disadvantage in terms of rest.”

Martinelli Spoils City’s Party with Late Equaliser

For most of the evening, it looked as if City would walk away with three valuable points. Erling Haaland’s sharp first-half finish gave them an early lead, and although Arsenal pushed hard, Guardiola’s men seemed to be in control.

Then came Martinelli. The Brazilian winger, introduced as a substitute, latched onto a deflected strike and saw his effort nestle into the back of the net in stoppage time. The Emirates erupted, City heads dropped, and the table told its story: Arsenal second, City slumping down to ninth.

But for Silva, the dropped points weren’t solely about a defensive lapse or Martinelli’s moment of brilliance. They were, in his view, the inevitable result of City being given just two-and-a-half days to recover from their midweek Champions League fixture against Napoli.

Silva Bemoans Lack of Recovery Time

Arsenal v Manchester City – Premier League

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Silva spelled out his frustrations in detail. Arsenal, he pointed out, had faced Athletic Club on Tuesday night. City, meanwhile, were still slogging it out against Napoli on Thursday.

“I am saying this because we didn’t lose,” Silva clarified. “If we lost, I wouldn’t say this. But the reality is, we cannot come to one of the most important games in the season with such a disadvantage, in terms of rest. It is just not fair to play one of these games like this.”

For Silva, the physical toll was glaringly obvious.

“I wasn’t feeling in a perfect condition to play like this,” he said. “People who have not played at the highest level don’t know how it feels. These games demand a lot. You need to be at your best condition. We saw Abdukodir Khusanov getting injured because of these demands. Two-and-a-half days is not enough to recover our bodies and to perform at the highest level. It is just not enough.”

‘It’s Just Not Right!’ – Silva’s Strongest Words Yet

The Portuguese playmaker repeated his frustration throughout his post-match reflection, using phrases that cut to the heart of the issue.

“It’s just not right,” he said again. “They had five days, and we had two-and-a-half days. In one of the most important games, this cannot happen.”

For Silva, the argument wasn’t about excuses or shifting blame. Instead, he framed it as a broader issue for the Premier League and European football: a lack of “common sense” in fixture scheduling that jeopardises player welfare, match quality, and the fairness of competition.

Calls for ‘Common Sense’ to Prevail

This wasn’t the first time Silva had voiced concerns about football’s congested calendar, but his message on Sunday carried an urgency that was impossible to ignore.

“We have tried, they don’t listen to us. It is what it is,” Silva said. “We would like to change something, but it never changes. For the respect of the clubs, for the fairness of the competition, I don’t think what happened today was good.”

Silva was quick to clarify that this wasn’t simply about Manchester City being wronged.

“It could happen to Arsenal or Liverpool in a few months,” he admitted. “But when you are playing an Arsenal vs City, or City vs Liverpool, or Liverpool vs Arsenal, you need to have a bit of common sense. In such an important game, the players need to be in the same physical conditions. Otherwise, it’s not fair.”

His plea was simple: nobody minds playing 60 matches a season, but the integrity of the competition is damaged when top games are played under such uneven circumstances.

Guardiola’s Perspective and the Wider Issue

Pep Guardiola has often spoken about the challenges of fixture congestion, particularly in a season where City are expected to compete across multiple fronts: the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and potentially the Club World Cup.

While Guardiola has largely kept his focus on tactical adjustments and squad rotation, Silva’s remarks underline the sentiment inside the dressing room. City’s players are feeling the strain, and Sunday’s draw against Arsenal may have been the tipping point in expressing those frustrations publicly.

Across Europe, the issue is becoming increasingly prominent. Players’ unions, medical experts, and even some broadcasters have begun acknowledging that the relentless scheduling puts careers at risk and diminishes the product on the pitch. Silva’s rant, raw and emotionally charged, has now brought that debate right back into the headlines.

Up Next for City: Huddersfield Then Burnley

PEP GUARDIOLA MANCHESTER CITY

City don’t have much time to lick their wounds. Guardiola’s side will be expected to rotate heavily for their Carabao Cup third-round clash against Huddersfield Town on Wednesday night, giving some of the fringe players an opportunity to impress.

Then, just three days later, they welcome Burnley to the Etihad in the Premier League. Another test, another quick turnaround, and more evidence of the packed schedule that Silva so passionately railed against.

Whether Guardiola opts to rest key stars like Silva and Haaland remains to be seen. But with City already playing catch-up in the league table, every point is precious, and every decision carries weight.

Conclusion: Silva’s Rant Resonates Beyond the Emirates

Bernardo Silva has always been one of City’s most eloquent players, but rarely has he spoken with such raw emotion and conviction. His “it’s just not right” outburst may have been fuelled by the immediate frustration of conceding late at Arsenal, but the substance of his words cannot be ignored.

Fixture congestion, recovery time, and player welfare are not new debates, yet Silva’s rant perfectly encapsulated the growing discontent among top professionals. When one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers publicly calls for “common sense” in scheduling, the message is clear: the balance between football as entertainment and football as competition has tilted too far in the wrong direction.

For City, the draw at the Emirates may feel like two points lost, but for the wider game, Silva’s comments may prove to be a turning point in how we view fairness and fatigue in the modern era.