Manchester City star Bernardo Silva has labelled Arsenal as a ‘tough’ side to play against after today’s goalless draw.
Pep Guardiola’s men failed to score in a game at the Etihad Stadium for the first time in 57 games when they faced Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal on Sunday.
While it didn’t exactly live up to the billing of a title clash, the Gunners will be satisfied with a resolute defensive display.
Both sides struggled to create opportunities in the game, with Nathan Ake arguably having the best opportunity from a corner. But the City star mistimed his header and his effort fell into the hands of David Raya.
Barring that moment, Arsenal weren’t really troubled on the day as William Saliba picked up the Man of the Match from Gary Neville on Sky Sports.
Of course, the Frenchman was absent last season as Arsenal fell to a 4-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium back in April.
And following today’s goalless draw, Bernardo Silva has admitted that Arteta’s men are a ‘much better’ side now.
Silva delivers verdict on Arsenal
Speaking to Sky Sports, the City star reflected on a difficult test against Arsenal on Sunday.
“[It’s] tough to play against them because man-to-man when they were pressing high,” he said. “When they were defending low, their wingers were playing as full-backs in almost a line of six.
“So, it’s never easy to play against teams that defend this well when they are high pressing and when they come deep, they defend deep and so connected. Tough game.”
“They were very well-organised,” Silva added. “It wasn’t easy to create chances and to give our strikers opportunities to score goals.”
The Portuguese winger was then asked if Arsenal are different from the team that suffered a heavy defeat at City last season.
“Last April, I felt like they were doing man-to-man all over the pitch the whole game,” he responded. “When you do that it’s a bit of a 50/50 and when you have quick players like Kevin and Erling, it’s always tough to play against.
“Today, it wasn’t the same. But yeah, a different team because they are more experienced.
“They are a top side with young players that are now one year more experience than they felt when they played here last season. Today I think they were much better.”
William Saliba stars as Arsenal pick up vital point at City
One huge difference between today and last season from Arsenal’s point of view was Saliba.
The Frenchman missed out through injury back in April, with Rob Holding stepping in alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.
It’s fair to say Holding struggled on that particular evening and simply doesn’t provide the same level of quality as Saliba.
The post ‘Much better’: Bernardo Silva now shares what he thinks is completely different about Arsenal this season appeared first on TBR Football.