Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva launched an explosive tirade against Arsenal’s tactics following their dramatic 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, criticising Arsenal’s lack of trophies.

Reduced to ten players in first-half stoppage time, Mikel Arteta’s team appeared to slow down the game in the second half as players appeared to be out with cramps and injuries, leading to over nine minutes of second-half stoppage time.

John Stones scored a goal in the 98th minute to salvage a draw in a heated match that saw both teams clash at the end and Silva apparently throwing the trophy at the Arsenal players’ heads (see image below).

When asked about the differences between City’s rivalry with Arsenal and that with Liverpool, Silva took a swipe at the north Londoners’ few titles won while criticising their tactics.

The Portuguese international said: “The difference? Maybe that Liverpool have already won the Premier League and Arsenal have not. Maybe that Liverpool have won the Champions League and Arsenal have not.”

“Liverpool have always faced us head-on and tried to win the games. From that perspective, the games against Arsenal were not like the ones we had and have against Liverpool. So yes, maybe a different rivalry.”

Silva: Only one team came to play football

In the second half, Manchester City had 28 shots on goal and Arsenal had one, while the home team had 88 percent possession, prompting Silva to criticise the visitors’ tactics.

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

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

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

“Referee made Arsenal’s actions easier”

After Stones criticised Arsenal’s “black arts”, Silva also claimed Arsenal’s actions were facilitated by referee Michael Oliver, pointing to an incident almost immediately after kick-off when Kai Havertz collided with Rodri.

Silva said: “It all started in the first second. From the very first action we realised what was going to happen. One of our players was injured after they sent him to the ground twice in 10 minutes.”

“We conceded a goal after the referee called on our captain (Kyle Walker) and then did not allow him to return to his position.

“The second goal was already your usual block for our goalkeeper, which was allowed by the referee.

“Then the referee allowed a series of time-consuming actions. What bothers me most is the many meetings with the FA at the start of each season. They tell us they will get such situations under control and put a stop to them, but in the end it is of no use. They say a lot but nothing happens.”

Silva’s comments follow Rodri’s “mentality” criticism last season

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

Rodri claimed they beat Arsenal in the title race because of a superior “mentality” and criticised the Gunners for not wanting to beat the champions in the March game, which ended goalless.

When asked how his team could be so consistently successful, the Spanish international replied: Optus Sports: “To be honest, I think it’s here,” he said, pointing to his head. “It’s the mentality.”

“Arsenal also deserved (to win the league), they had an incredible season, but I think that was the difference (he points to his head again).

“When they came here and played us at the Etihad, I saw them and said, ‘Ah, these guys don’t want to beat us, they just want a draw.’

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

“And we caught up with them. If they give us a point at the end, we will win the last seven, eight games, even though it is so tough. So I think it’s all about mentality.”