Match Coverage

Bernardo Silva said one of Arsenal’s summer signings put Man City in a ‘dark place’ last season

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Bernardo Silva might be having nightmares about coming face-to-face with one Arsenal player on matchday five.

Arsenal’s start to the Premier League season has been difficult, but Mikel Arteta will be satisfied with three wins from four. 

Having already faced away tests against Manchester United and Liverpool, another blockbuster clash is on the horizon.

On matchday five, Arsenal welcome Manchester City to the Emirates in search of three points, and one player in Arteta’s squad could make all the difference. 

Sporting CP v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League
Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images

Bernardo Silva said Viktor Gyokeres contributed to a dark time at Manchester City

In November 2024, Viktor Gyokeres absolutely stunned Pep Guardiola by scoring a hat-trick in Sporting CP’s 4-1 win over City in the Champions League

The now Arsenal striker hurt City beyond belief that night, with Bernardo Silva telling the media that the squad were stuck in a very ‘dark place’.

“Disappointing, because we’re a bit in a dark place right now, and everything looks to be going the wrong way even when we play well,” Silva said to the media at full-time.

“Definitely, we need to look inside, check what we’re not doing well and start being better very quickly. Otherwise, it will be difficult to come back from these losses.”

That period of time saw City fail to win in seven matches, which was a staggering situation for Guardiola.

Gyokeres’ actions in the Champions League contributed to City’s dire run of form, and now, the Swede will be eager to do some damage in the Premier League. 

How Pep Guardiola reacted to being asked if Gyokeres could play for Man City

When looking at Gyokeres’ conversion rate in the Premier League, City will know that they can’t give the Arsenal star any chances. 

The 27-year-old became the talk of Europe after scoring three against City last season, but even before the game, Guardiola was forced to comment on his success. 

Sporting CP v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League
Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images

The Man City manager was asked if he could ever see Gyokeres play for his team.

“We have Erling Haaland, the best striker in the world,” Guardiola responded in his pre-match press conference.

“Gyokeres is a very important player for them, but he has been with Amorim for a long time; you can see the patterns, the joy.”

Few Premier League teams know what the suffering Gyokeres can inflict more than City, who will not want to be on the receiving end of another masterclass from the Swede on Sunday afternoon.