Bernardo Silva, a player for Manchester City, has offered his perspective on the Premier League title race, particularly in relation to Arsenal. His statements, made at different points in the season, reveal a nuanced view of his team's position and the challenges posed by competitors. These comments underscore the high stakes involved in the league's top positions.
Context of Silva's Remarks
Silva's observations arise from key matches and periods during Manchester City's pursuit of the Premier League title. The timing and nature of his statements offer insight into the team's morale and strategic outlook.

Post-Liverpool Victory (February 2026): Following a late 2-1 win against Liverpool at Anfield, which narrowed the gap to league leaders Arsenal to six points with 13 games remaining, Silva indicated the critical importance of this victory. He stated that a loss in this fixture "would have extinguished" Manchester City's title challenge.
Post-Manchester United Defeat (January 2026): After a 2-0 loss to Manchester United, Silva expressed concern that the title might be slipping away. He noted his team's struggle to match their opponent's energy and intentions, admitting that Manchester United "took the game to where they are good and we are not so good." This result, coupled with a subsequent four-game winless streak in the league, intensified concerns about City's title prospects.
Early Season Remarks (September 2025): At an earlier stage of the season, Silva suggested that both Liverpool and Arsenal were perceived as favourites to win the Premier League. He pointed to their strong starts and performances, implying that Manchester City was not the clear frontrunner. He also mentioned that while he had anticipated both teams dropping points, City's negative start to the year had put them in a "worse position" relative to Arsenal.
Evidence from Silva's Statements
Bernardo Silva's remarks provide direct evidence of his team's state of mind and assessment of the title race.
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On the Liverpool Match: Silva is quoted as saying, "I feel the whole team knew before the game if we lost it, then the title race was probably over." He also noted the comeback, stating, "I know he pulled him but how many pulls are there in a game when referees play on?" (referencing a penalty incident). The victory itself resulted in a 2-1 scoreline for City.
On the Manchester United Match: He admitted, "We gave them what they want. They took the game to where they are good and we are not so good." Silva further commented, "They had more energy and intention. When a team is better you have to accept it." This occurred after a sequence of four league games without a win for City.
Early Season Perspective: Silva conceded, "At the moment they [Arsenal] are in a better position than us." He also drew comparisons, stating, "Liverpool were not a favourite and they won the Premier League."
Analysis of Title Race Sentiments
Silva's comments highlight a dynamic shift in perceived favourites and the consequences of specific results.
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The Pressure of Key Fixtures
The win against Liverpool at Anfield is presented as a pivotal moment. The evidence suggests that failure in this match would have had a significant detrimental impact on Manchester City's title aspirations. The comeback victory is thus framed not just as three points, but as a lifeline in the race.
Acknowledging Competitor Strength
At different points, Silva has shown considerable respect for Arsenal and Liverpool. His early season assessment placed them ahead, a view seemingly influenced by their performance trajectories. This acknowledgment suggests a realistic appraisal of the league landscape beyond Manchester City's own standing.

Fluctuations in Confidence
The shift from being concerned about the title race being "over" after a loss to Manchester United, to the critical nature of the win against Liverpool, illustrates the emotional pendulum of a tight title race. The team's confidence appears directly linked to recent results and the points gap to the leaders.
Expert Commentary
While the provided data focuses on Bernardo Silva's direct statements, broader commentary on Manchester City's performance and the title race often discusses factors like squad depth, fixture congestion, and the consistency of all competing teams. Analysts frequently dissect the implications of dropped points by title contenders and the impact of key player availability on overall team performance.
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Conclusion and Implications
Bernardo Silva's remarks illustrate the intense psychological battle within the Premier League title race. His statements underscore:
The critical nature of direct confrontations between top teams, where results can profoundly affect morale and standing.
A realistic assessment of competitors' strengths, indicating that Arsenal and Liverpool are viewed as formidable challengers.
The inherent volatility of the league, where periods of poor form can lead to significant shifts in perceived title chances.
The implications of Silva's comments suggest that Manchester City, while fighting, faces significant challenges and that their title aspirations are closely tied to maintaining a high level of performance and securing crucial results, especially against direct rivals.
Sources:
AOL (Standard.co.uk):
Link: https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/bernardo-silva-arsenal-fc-man-city-premier-league-title-race-b1270143.html
Context: Report on Bernardo Silva's reaction after Manchester City's late win against Liverpool, impacting the title race against Arsenal.
Irish Examiner:
Link: https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41790116.html
Context: Discussion of Bernardo Silva's admission that the title race was nearing its end if Manchester City had lost to Liverpool.
Pulse Sports NG:
Link: https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/i-wont-lie-bernardo-silva-makes-arsenal-title-admission-after-derby-defeat-2026011813191449149
Context: Report on Bernardo Silva's comments following Manchester City's defeat to Manchester United, expressing concerns about the title race and Arsenal.
beIN SPORTS:
Link: https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/premier-league/articles/silva-acknowledges-importance-of-dramatic-win-at-anfield-in-premier-league-title-race-2026-02-08
Context: Coverage of Bernardo Silva acknowledging the significance of Manchester City's win over Liverpool in the context of the Premier League title race.
Metro:
Link: https://metro.co.uk/2026/01/17/bernardo-silva-makes-arsenal-admission-after-manchester-united-hammer-manchester-city-26350038/
Context: Article detailing Bernardo Silva's statement following Manchester City's loss to Manchester United, hinting at title race difficulties.
Football.London (Arsenal FC):
Link: https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/bernardo-silva-makes-surprise-arsenal-32517636
Context: Report on Bernardo Silva's early-season assessment where he named Liverpool and Arsenal as title favorites over Manchester City.
Goal.com:
Link: https://www.goal.com/en/lists/bernardo-silva-fires-warning-arsenal-man-city-title-race/blt3e9ddb92d5005b95
Context: Discussion of Bernardo Silva's remarks and his team's determination to chase down Arsenal in the title race.
Just Arsenal News:
Link: https://www.justarsenal.com/bernardo-silva-makes-arsenal-title-chance-admission/400531
Context: Coverage of Bernardo Silva's acknowledgment of Arsenal's current position in the Premier League title race.
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