EPL: Bernardo Silva Slams Premier League Scheduling After Arsenal Draw

EPL: Bernardo Silva Slams Premier League Scheduling After Arsenal Draw

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has hit out at the Premier League over what he described as unfair scheduling following his team’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Portugal international argued that City were put at a disadvantage due to a tight turnaround after their midweek UEFA Champions League fixture against Napoli.

Pep Guardiola’s side defeated the Italian champions 2-0 on Wednesday night, but had just 66 hours to recover and prepare for the league clash in North London.

In contrast, Arsenal enjoyed a longer rest period, having played their European tie on Tuesday a 2-0 win away to Athletic Bilbao giving Mikel Arteta’s men an extra day to recover before the high-stakes encounter.

“We keep talking about player welfare, but then we get scheduled like this,” Silva told BBC Sport. “It’s very difficult to compete at the highest level when you don’t get the same recovery time as your opponent. These small details make a huge difference in such intense games.”

The match itself was a fiercely contested battle. City took the lead in the first half through Phil Foden, but Arsenal fought back, with Gabriel Martinelli netting a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to deny the defending champions all three points.

The result leaves City trailing league leaders Liverpool by two points, while Arsenal remain firmly in the title race.

Silva’s comments add to growing concerns from players and managers about the Premier League’s congested fixture list, especially for clubs competing in European competitions.

Guardiola has also previously voiced his frustrations, calling for reforms to protect players from burnout.

With the season entering a crucial phase, the debate over fixture scheduling is likely to intensify, particularly as English clubs continue to balance domestic and European commitments.