Bernardo Silva: Man City would beat Arsenal to Premier League title if not in transition

We’d have won the title if not for rebuild – Bernardo Silva

In a candid verdict on the title race ahead of his departure from the Etihad Stadium this summer, City skipper Bernardo Silva has admitted his side would have won the Premier League had they not been at a nascent stage of their revamp under Viana.

“They (Arsenal) have been growing and well, it’s a team that has been together for, what, five years now – so it’s only natural that they would man up a little bit and start challenging for titles – so, yeah, let’s see what happens,” the Portugal international said in an interview with The Athletic’s Oliver Kay.

Silva put in one of his best performances in a City shirt in April’s 2-1 win over Arsenal, though the playmaker points to the fact that the Blues’ main rivals during his time in England have been Liverpool. “I’m not in love (with Arsenal). I do believe our main rivals (in his time at Manchester City) were Liverpool by far,” he added.

“I also believe and I know this is very subjective, that if we were not in a transitional season and if we didn’t make so many mistakes, we would have won this league. I don’t say we would have won easily but we would have won this league. So, it’s quite frustrating.”

Bernardo’s verdict on West Ham vs Arsenal VAR controversy

Asked for his two cents on the VAR drama surrounding Arsenal’s recent monumental 1-0 win over West Ham, Silva said: “I think it’s a foul (from Pablo on David Raya). The only problem is the consistency of the referees. It’s not just this. It’s everything that happens around, so in this picture you see three or four fouls taking place.

“If I talk a lot, I’ll cry” – Pep Guardiola’s emotional message to Bernardo Silva ahead of Manchester City exit

“It’s a foul (on Raya) but it’s quite frustrating when they allow this type of contact at times during the season and then they decide not to allow it in such a game. It’s a shame. The Premier League is such a good product in terms of the referees letting the game flow and not whistling every challenge.

“All of this helps to make it the best league in the world, in my opinion. But then on the other hand, you look at what has been happening with set pieces in the last two seasons and it’s a bit of a shame to see teams taking one minute over throw-ins, free kicks, goal kicks, corners. I wouldn’t say that’s the way the game should be going.”

Silva was one of five players who retained their starting XI spots in midweek and the Manchester City captain will be desperate to make a strong finish to his final few weeks at the Etihad Stadium, starting with Chelsea in London on Saturday.