Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva hit out at Arsenal’s lack of trophies in an explosive tirade about the Gunners’ tactics following their dramatic 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s team, reduced to ten players in first-half injury time, seemed to slow down the game in the second half, with players dropping out with cramps and injuries, resulting in over nine minutes of injury time in the second half.

John Stones scored in the 98th minute to save the equaliser in a grim match that saw both teams clash late in the game, with Silva even appearing to steal a trophy from the Arsenal players (see photo below).

When asked about the difference between City’s rivalry with Arsenal and that of Liverpool, Silva hit out at the north London club’s lack of trophies and criticised their tactics.

The Portugal international said: “The difference? Maybe that Liverpool have already won the Premier League, Arsenal haven’t. That Liverpool have won the Champions League, Arsenal haven’t.

“Liverpool were always up against us to win the games, so from that perspective the games against Arsenal were not like the ones we had and have had against Liverpool. So yeah, maybe a different rivalry.”

Silva: Only one team came to play football

In the second half, Manchester City had 28 shots on target to Arsenal’s one, while the home side had 88 percent of the ball, prompting Silva to criticise the visitors’ tactics.

He said: “There was only one team that came to play football. The other came to play to the limits of what was possible and what the referee allowed, unfortunately.

“But in the end we got a draw, the best we could get given the context of the final moments of the game.

“We are not happy because we wanted the three points, but I am personally happy with the way we went out and approached the game. I am happy that we always go out on the pitch to try to win every game.”

‘Referee facilitated Arsenal’s approach’

After Stones criticised Arsenal’s ‘dark arts’, Silva claimed Arsenal’s approach was facilitated by referee Michael Oliver, and referred to an incident almost immediately after kick-off when Kai Havertz clashed with Rodri.

Silva said: “It all started in the very first second. In the first action we realised what was going to happen. We had a player injured after they sent him to the ground twice in 10 minutes.

“We conceded a goal after the referee called our captain (Kyle Walker) and then didn’t give him a chance to get back into position.

“The second goal was again their usual block on our keeper, which was approved by the referee.

“Then the referee allowed a series of time-wasting events. What bothers me the most is that at the beginning of each season we have many meetings with the FA. They tell us that they will control and stop these kinds of situations, but in the end it has no value. They say a lot, but nothing happens.”

Silva’s comments follow criticism of Rodri’s ‘mentality’ last season

Silva is not the first Man City player to publicly criticise Arsenal after Rodri’s comments at the end of last season.

Rodri claimed they beat Arsenal in the title race thanks to a superior ‘mentality’, but criticised the Gunners for not wanting to beat the champions in their March match, which ended goalless.

When asked how his team achieves such consistent success, the Spain international said Optus Sport: “Honestly, I think it’s in there,” he points to his head. “It’s the mentality.

“Arsenal, they deserve it too (to win the league), they had an incredible season, but I think the difference was this (points to his head again).

“When they arrived here, they were facing us at the Etihad. I saw them and thought, ‘Ah, those guys, they don’t want to beat us, they just want a draw.’

“And that mentality, I don’t think we would do it the same way.

“And we overtook them. Ultimately, if you give us one point, we will win the last seven, eight games, even though it is so tough. So I think it comes down to mentality.”