Bernardo Silva’s performance against Arsenal shows what Manchester City are losing

City had slightly more possession in the first half but they had far more territory in the second. They pinned Arsenal back with sustained pressure and were able to progress the ball much more effectively into Arsenal’s third.

City’s final-third entries rose from 11 in the first half to 33 in the second, while their touches in the Arsenal box climbed from 15 to 25. Their zones of control map shows just how much they dictated play in the middle of the park.

This was yet another example of a big-game player delivering again when it mattered. It was fitting that the victory took Silva level with David Silva for Premier League matches won for Manchester City.

Guardiola was emotional when discussing his impact after the match. “If you continue to talk about him, I will cry, so be careful,” he said. “It will be so emotional the moment when he is going to leave. Bernardo is Bernardo. You cannot define him. Without him, my nine years would be so, so different. He’s special.”

Since joining in 2017-18, Silva has never played fewer than 45 matches in a season for City. Over that period, he has made 452 appearances in all competitions, more than any other player across Europe’s top five leagues, above Mohamed Salah (439) and Antoine Griezmann (434). Guardiola has relied on him so consistently for so long.

City have already said goodbye to several influential midfielders from their era of dominance under Guardiola, including Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gündogan, Fernandinho and David Silva. Of the current squad, few serial winners remain. Rodri is one. Silva is another.

After Rodri picked up an injury against Arsenal, Silva may once again be asked to lead from the front in the closing stages of the season. It’s a role he knows well. He has done it before, helping deliver six Premier League titles. Few would bet against him adding a seventh.

This is an article by Opta Analyst