Bernardo Silva is ‘sure’ that Arsenal will do one thing during the 2024/25 Premier League title race after Manchester City beat Mikel Arteta’s side to the 23/24 title.
The Citizens became the first club to win four Premier League titles in a row last Sunday. Pep Guardiola has overseen the most dominant period in the history of the division. But Arsenal ran Manchester City to the last day of the season, before falling two points shy of the crown.
Arsenal even registered the best defensive record in the top-flight this term after conceding just 29 goals in 38 games. Only the Citizens (96) also outscored the Gunners (91) to end the campaign with the joint-best goal differences at +62. They both won a league-high 28 times.
Bernardo Silva has ‘no doubt’ that Arsenal will fight Manchester City for the 24/25 title
Manchester City ultimately had the edge over Arsenal having drawn twice more, compared to Arteta overseeing two more defeats than Guardiola. The Citizens only lost to Wolves 2-1, Arsenal 1-0 and Aston Villa 1-0. The Etihad Stadium side also did not lose after December 6.
The Emirates Stadium side lost for the first time in controversial circumstances at Newcastle United 1-0 before also losing to Aston Villa 1-0, West Ham United 2-0, Fulham 2-1 and again Aston Villa 2-0. The Villans sealed their double by winning away in north London on May 14.
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Yet, despite falling short of the title, Arsenal improved compared to the 22/23 season when they finished five points behind Manchester City. Now, Silva has ‘no doubt’ that his Citizens side will face another title fight as he knows how hungry Arsenal are and what Arteta adds.
“For sure,” Silva told Sky Sports. “I know their manager very well because he was here with us. I know how demanding and how intelligent he is. If you look at their squad, they’re very young and, for sure, they’re very hungry to go after some titles. So, no doubt about that.”
Bernardo Silva knows Man City ‘can’t’ start their Premier League title defence slowly
Silva further claims that it would be ‘ideal’ if Manchester City can stay on top of the Premier League table all season next term, knowing that Arsenal will push them. He even urges the Citizens to start well in August as Guardiola’s team cannot afford to start the season slowly.
“No, we can’t,” he added, in regard to Manchester City not being able to afford a slow start. “Ideally, we would like to stay on top all season knowing that it’s not easy.”
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Despite Silva’s fears, Wolves handed the Citizens their first defeat of the 23/24 campaign on September 30. Manchester City even opened their season with six wins in a row. Their only boggy period came from November 12 to December 16 with four draws, a win and a defeat.
Arsenal, on the other hand, lost their first game during 23/24 at Newcastle on November 11. Arteta’s squad opened the term with seven wins and three draws but never won more than two in a row. West Ham and Fulham also beat Arsenal back-to-back on December 28 and 31.