Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has voiced his frustration over what he sees as an unfair match schedule leading up to their clash with Arsenal. Silva highlighted the significant difference in rest time between the two sides before the game.
The Premier League showdown between Arsenal and City took place at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday night (September 21, 2025), ending in a 1-1 draw. Erling Haaland gave City an early lead before Gabriel Martinelli equalized in stoppage time.
City had just 66 hours to prepare for the match after facing Napoli in the Champions League on Thursday, September 18. In contrast, Arsenal had an extra two days of rest, having played their last game on Tuesday, September 16, against Athletic Bilbao.
Silva believes the scheduling put his team at a clear disadvantage and questioned the fairness of the decision.
“It’s just not fair to play one of the biggest games of the season under these conditions,” Silva told the BBC.
“The truth is, we weren’t able to face such a crucial match with a proper recovery. That kind of rest gap makes a big difference.”
“I didn’t feel 100% ready for a game like this, and unless you’ve played at the highest level, you don’t fully understand what it takes. You need to be at your absolute best in matches like these.”
