The Manchester City captain makes his point as the pressure of this season is about ramp up | OneFootball

Given how January has unfolded results-wise for Manchester City, it is somewhat of a surprise to see Pep Guardiola’s side sit four points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal in the table. City drew three Premier League matches and lost another to Manchester United this month, which seemed to hand Arsenal an opportunity to take an emphatic lead at the top of the table. But Mikel Arteta’s side has also slumped recently.

A title race, which could also include Aston Villa, looks to be on the cards. Bernardo Silva has spoken about Arsenal leaving the door open for his team. The Manchester City captain has thrown down the gauntlet to Arsenal, and it now seems that the pressure is about to rise across the back end of this season.

The Manchester City captain believes Arsenal have given his team hope as he spells out a reality that exists.

In an interview published by Jack Gaughan for the Daily Mail, Bernardo Silva believes Arsenal’s recent results have given hope to Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League title race. The Manchester City captain also pointed out that he had previously shared his belief that both teams would drop points. That has occurred this month. Speaking on the potential title race ahead, Bernardo Silva said: “I’ve recently said that both teams would still drop points, but unfortunately we started the year in a negative form as we could’ve gained an emotional advantage and we didn’t. And then they could’ve distanced themselves from us even further but they didn’t, so they gave us a bit of hope.”

Bernardo Silva also put pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side. The Manchester City captain pointed out that Arsenal don’t yet know what is required to win the Premier League. He explained: “Liverpool have won two league titles and we have won six in my time in England, so I’ve never experienced Arsenal winning the league.”

“But the truth is that at the moment they’re in a better position than us. There’s still a lot of games to be played and every season is different. Without a doubt we still have hope and ambition to fight for this Premier League.”

Manchester City assistant Pep Lijnders also shared yesterday that he believes that title races are special. He also spoke on how unpredictable the Premier League is. Lijnders told the media yesterday: “What I have to say is the Premier League is insane at the moment. The aggression of all the teams, the quality up front of all the teams. We know each team can create upsets and [they could] at that time as well.”

“For sure at that time City and Liverpool, we were really stable in terms of getting points over the line. But there were a lot of games that people forget when they were so close in terms of margins, winning 1-0 or 2-0 or last-minute winners. Title races are special.”

Manchester City face a must-win match against Tottenham which can law down a marker for what lies ahead.

Now that January is almost complete, it does seem that the stakes are about to be raised. Manchester City face Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, and their next Premier League fixture is against Liverpool at Anfield. Both fixtures are games that Manchester City typically struggle in. But starting tomorrow against Tottenham, Pep Guardiola’s side has an opportunity to lay down a marker for what lies ahead.

City know that from here they will nearly have to win all of their remaining matches in the Premier League. Given how tight the league is, that isn’t a simple task. Tottenham beat City 2-0 at the Etihad earlier this season, and although they have been inconsistent in the Premier League this season, Thomas Frank’s side typically turn up at their best against City. If Pep Guardiola’s side can beat Spurs tomorrow, it could be a big moment in Manchester City’s season and lay down a marker for a critical stage of this season. Tomorrow’s match is massive for City and does seem to be a big match in the scheme of the title race.

Bernardo Silva has spoken of how Arsenal have given Manchester City hope in the title race. He has also pointed out Arsenal’s lack of experience in overcoming the final hurdle to win the Premier League. Pep Lijnders believes that title races are special, based on his experience. This weekend could be a big one in the scheme of this season, and if City can get a win against an opponent they typically struggle with, it could be looked back upon as a big moment in the 25/26 season.