Pep Guardiola pays heartfelt tribute to Bernardo Silva after beating Arsenal – and gives update on Rodri’s injury | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola paid a heartfelt tribute to Bernardo Silva after his man of the match display in the win over title rivals Arsenal.

Goals from Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland gave Manchester City a 2-1 win at the Etihad as they moved three points behind the league leaders with a game in hand.

Silva is leaving City at the end of the season and Guardiola says his display against Arsenal was typical of what he has seen for the past nine years.

“If I talk too much I will cry,” the City boss said.

“I can just say thank you on behalf of this club for what you have done.

“Bernardo proves that football starts in the brain to the feet. He’s not the fastest, the quickest, but he knows what is required in every single action. Commitment, he’s never injured.

“Last season defined him. When everybody was not there, always he was there suffering. His mentality.

“One thing that’s important is he always sees the positive things in life.

“He deserves the biggest recognition. When you write the legend, you have to write his name in capital letters. Not (just) for today, but every single game in nine years. Without him it would have been so, so, so difficult because he’s a special player.

“The team where he goes will be so lucky to have him.”

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Guardiola had said before the game that failure to win would likely spell the end of his side’s title hopes, but despite the victory, he played down suggestions that City should now be considered favourites.

“That game gives us hope, that’s all,” he said. “I said to the guys, enjoy the moment but don’t lose the focus right now. We have three or four weeks. I know what the message will be.

“I’m so impressed with the quality of the opponent, they are really, really good. People say we have momentum but when you see them compete it’s an extraordinary team. Otherwise you cannot go all season top of the Premier League and in the Champions League unbeaten.

“I know how difficult it is to beat them once, let alone twice in the margin of three weeks or one month.

“They were a little bit higher step (today) than in the Carabao Cup when they arrive nine points, ten points (clear). All the messages was that it’s easy for Arsenal and that’s why we had that margin that we keep, to be honest, today.”

The only negative for City was an injury for midfielder Rodri who was forced off in the second half.

“His groin, I think” Guardiola said on the Spaniard’s issue. “But the doctors said we’ll see. Do a test tonight or tomorrow morning.”

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