Manchester City captain Bernando Silva was critical of the Premier League’s scheduling of his side’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday.
The Cityzens played out a 1-1 draw against the Gunners in the EPL on Sunday evening, three days after hosting Napoli in their 2025/26 UCL opener.
Arsenal, on the other hand, played their UCL opener against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday, giving them extra two days of rest.
Speaking after the game, Silva revealed that the timing of the match was not favorable to his side.
“It is not fair to play one of these games like this. It is just not right,” said Silva.
“The reality is we cannot come in to one of the most important games in the season with such a disadvantage, in terms of rest.
I wasn’t feeling in a perfect condition to play like this, and people who have not played at the highest level don’t know how it feels to play a game like this. You need to be at your best condition”, he continued.
Erling Haaland put City ahead in the tie following a blistering counterattack, slotting in past David Raya after receiving a pass from Tijjani Reijnders.
Mikel Arteta brought on Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze in the second half in search of an equalizer, but it was Gabriel Martinelli who proved to be the impact substitution for a second straight match.
The Brazilian winger received a ball over the top from Eberechi Eze and lobbed Gianluigi Donnarumma in the City goal in stoppage time to move Arsenal level.
Martinelli had also scored the winner against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday, 36 seconds after coming on as a substitute.
“I don’t think that they are trying to make us lose a game. It could happen to Arsenal or Liverpool in a few months.
But when you are playing an Arsenal v City, or a City v Liverpool, or a Liverpool v Arsenal, you need to have a bit of common sense, and understanding of these situations”, Silva added.
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