Arsenal fans have taken to social media in their droves to level their anger at Manchester City star Bernardo Silva amid his treatment of Gunners star Bukayo Saka in the first half of the top of the table clash.
The two sides leading the Premier League clashed at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening in one of the most highly anticipated games of the Premier League season so far, with a perch atop English football the reward for the victor.
It was the biggest game for Arsenal since the Europa League final defeat to Chelsea in 2019, and even without Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus, they flew out of the traps against the Premier League champions.
The game began in suitably tense fashion, with both sides feeling the other out and trying to prise an opening. The first chance of note came Arsenal’s way, with Eddie Nketiah heading wide from a Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Moments later, however, it was Kevin De Bruyne who gave Manchester City the lead, with the Belgian latching onto a poor backpass from Takehiro Tomiyasu to curl beyond Aaron Ramsdale, who was left in no-man’s land.
MAN CITY TAKE THE LEAD 👏
Kevin De Bruyne intercepts Takehiro Tomiyasu’s backpass and lobs Aaron Ramsdale to put the away side in front 💪#PLonPrime #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/imHg9mUjo3
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) February 15, 2023
The Gunners grabbed a deserved equaliser when Ederson fouled Eddie Nketiah, allowing Bukayo Saka to slot home a penalty and send the two sides into the dressing rooms level at the interval.
Worse still, the Portuguese attacker turned defender was not afraid of handing out some meaty treatment to the Gunners star, which largely went unpunished much to the frustration of the Arsenal fans. He did finally receive a card in first half stoppage time for his third foul on the Englishman.
No way has Bernardo Silva been tasked to man mark Saka? pic.twitter.com/lBF6yfFoYO
— Arsenal Presser (@APresserV2) February 15, 2023
Me watching Bernardo Silva, one of the funnest central midfielders in the league, playing left back: pic.twitter.com/Awl5kIEKUc
— Hamill (@CPHamill) February 15, 2023
Arsenal surely won’t let City off the hook having Bernardo Silva at left back.
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) February 15, 2023
It looks like City are going to defend in a 4-3-3 with Bernardo Silva at left back. It’s a choice.
With the ball, I can categorically say they have 11 players on the pitch. That’s about as much as I can tell so far.
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) February 15, 2023
How has Bernardo Silva not got a yellow? 😂
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) February 15, 2023
Bernardo Silva with ANOTHER foul on Bukayo Saka. Nowhere near the ball, again.
How many does he get?
Absurd. The diving cheat is a thug, too. Who knew?
— The Short Fuse (@TheShortFuse) February 15, 2023
Bernardo Silva should be in the book!
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) February 15, 2023
4th foul from Bernardo Silva to Saka. How many more is Anthony Taylor going to allow before he gets booked?
— Spanish Gooner (@elspanishgooner) February 15, 2023
Bernardo Silva fouls Saka for the third time, one not given, two and three could have both been yellows.
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) February 15, 2023
Bernardo silva is getting COOOKED
— 🐍 (@yasukesfather) February 15, 2023
Bernardo Silva should be off an all
— Tac (@ItsJustTac) February 15, 2023
God knows how Bernardo Silva is still on the pitch
— KamiKaze (@ManLikeSalam) February 15, 2023
*He did finally receive a card in first half stoppage time for his third foul on the Englishman.
