Bernardo Silva Blasts Premier League Scheduling After Manchester City’s Draw With Arsenal

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has slammed the Premier League’s scheduling, claiming it left his side at a clear disadvantage in their 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time strike rescued a point for Arsenal after City had taken the lead, but Silva believes the short turnaround from their Champions League win over Napoli heavily impacted their performance.

“Not fair to play like this” – Silva

City were given just 66 hours to recover following their European clash on Thursday night, while Arsenal had an extra two days of rest after playing Athletic Club on Tuesday.

“It is not fair to play one of these games like this. It is just not right,” Silva told reporters after the match.

“I wasn’t feeling in perfect condition, and people who have not played at the highest level don’t understand how tough it is. For these kinds of matches, you need to be at your very best.”

Guardiola echoes Silva’s concerns

Pep Guardiola backed his midfielder, admitting his side looked “incredibly tired” and once again criticized the Premier League for what he believes is a lack of protection for English teams competing in Europe.

Earlier this year, Guardiola said English clubs face the toughest fixture schedules in Europe, especially during the decisive months of the season.

Common sense needed

Silva insisted he was not accusing the league of bias but urged for “common sense” when scheduling fixtures between title rivals.

“It could happen to Arsenal or Liverpool in a few months,” he added. “But when you are playing Arsenal v City, or City v Liverpool, or Liverpool v Arsenal, you need to have a bit more understanding of the situation.”

Analysis: Fixture congestion debate returns

Silva’s comments reignite the long-running debate about fixture congestion in English football. While broadcasters and commercial demands often dictate schedules, players and managers continue to raise concerns about fatigue and increased risk of injuries in high-stakes games.

With City chasing both domestic and European success, the issue of rest days and competitive balance is once again firmly in the spotlight.