Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva claimed Arsenal have offered them unexpected hope of winning a seventh Premier League crown under Pep Guardiola.
Silva admitted that City's form - failing to win any of their first four games of the calendar year - should have seen them fall away in the title race.
But Arsenal's two draws and defeat by Manchester United last weekend means the gap is only four points, with the teams meeting at the Etihad Stadium in April.
Mikel Arteta's side go to Leeds on Saturday to face a team that has lost just one of their last 10 games, while City are at Tottenham a day later.
'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,' Silva said.
'And then they could've distanced themselves from us even further but they didn't, so they gave us a bit of hope.'
Silva referenced the lack of title experience of Arsenal, who have finished second in each of the past three seasons.
'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,' he added.
'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.'
The 31-year-old also refused to be drawn on his future ahead of his contract expiring in the summer. Benfica and Chicago Fire are among those who want to sign Silva and Juventus have looked at the possibility of a deal.
'I have an idea (of what will happen), but it's not a good time to speak about it,' Silva said.
Hiaceikmt
0
there's a problem man city is facing a team that always beats them and that's Tottenham Hotspur
CHBOY
0
Spurs and Liverpool game You wonβt get even one point from those games
CHBOY
0
Rubbish, big mouth what is your team waiting for why not leapfrog Arsenal and be top of the table
The_Alpha13
0
the question I am asking is if arsenal is not a good team and are leading the premier league and still unbeaten in the champion league tell what is that saying about your teams π€
it says the league is shite. in the prem, Arsenal has been far from perfect, scraping wins and dropping points but those who are supposed to be chasing them are doing the same. had city or villa capitalized on arsenal's slip ups, they'd be 2nd or 3rd by now. let's not forget the stick liverpool received last season saying the league was weak. how are we to be blamed for capitalizing on others downfall? arsenal should be doing the same but as you can see, they can be roped in. we led with double figures for most of the season last time out.
suzbcelms
1
hope for dream
retcistz
0
except, they know how to win trophies, and Arsenal, under Arteta, doesn't. hunger alone won't win it, experience goes a far way and no one is more experienced than Pep and City. Arsenal will have to be at their impeccable best if they are to deny city. and don't forget villa; Unai Emery is no joke either.
the question I am asking is if arsenal is not a good team and are leading the premier league and still unbeaten in the champion league tell what is that saying about your teams π€
reobklmpuz
0
With your consistently inconsistent?
Chima92
0
I would rather have City win their 7th EPL title than Arsenal winning it. Arsenal is an arrogant and noisy football club from the arrogant Coach down to the disrespectful players and Childish fans! Next season FC are title pretenders once again! π€‘π€‘
Necbklrsuz
1
silva, is that a dream?
rafaeljoel
2
So he's saying about Arsenal yet he forgets that spurs always awaits for them like a final cl
nouadeknpt
0
funny funny funny π
Yihbimoptz
4
No two seasons are the same city should forget living in the past glory arsenal all the way this season
Yaaaiklprt
0
Manchester United is winning
The_Alpha13
1
We still have many games to play,many teams will still drop points. That same hope you have, Arsenal FC do same. Let's keep our fingers crossed and see how it pans out, starting from this weekend
Indeed mate. Well said.
Yihbimoptz
1
City will drop the whole 3 point this weekend Tottenham is waiting to hammer them hard
Iffy106
2
Arsenal fans to Bernardo Silva and haters right now
Vuzilmpuyz
1
that's good dream
ladbeintuz
1
Citizens will win the league π€¬π€¬π€¬π€¬π€¨
tobdenoprt
1
Silva u must be a fool to admit this
daudamcyhjhvbnh
niociklr
0
I see Aston villa lifting the league
For your dream abi
Outlier
0
City has improved, especially with Semenyo and Guehi, meanwhile Arsenal have plateaued and donβt have any upgrades planned until summer. Same old s*** from Arsenal
wohacdnop
0
City can't even win a match yet Silva talking shit
All he said are facts. Arsenal would gain more points and be in a better position to win the league if they had won those matches. He also said the that in his time Arsenal has not won the EPL...Na lie
Omatschibuike
0
except, they know how to win trophies, and Arsenal, under Arteta, doesn't. hunger alone won't win it, experience goes a far way and no one is more experienced than Pep and City. Arsenal will have to be at their impeccable best if they are to deny city. and don't forget villa; Unai Emery is no joke either.
you are right, still, football is unpredictable,who could believe that all the teams in Epl haven't won more than half of the games they have played since the turn of the year? Pep and City might have the experience as you pointed out,yet, anything can happen between now and May. Yea, Villa and their coach ain't to be written out, let's watch on
Kodcilmnr
1
Silva u must be a fool to admit this
The_Alpha13
0
We still have many games to play,many teams will still drop points. That same hope you have, Arsenal FC do same. Let's keep our fingers crossed and see how it pans out, starting from this weekend
except, they know how to win trophies, and Arsenal, under Arteta, doesn't. hunger alone won't win it, experience goes a far way and no one is more experienced than Pep and City. Arsenal will have to be at their impeccable best if they are to deny city. and don't forget villa; Unai Emery is no joke either.
The_Alpha13
0
City can't even win a match yet Silva talking shit
you must be new here.
Tababkmrtz
0
100%
ariasenior
0
I see Aston villa lifting the league
AFerHKJc1725
0
Some things are just obvious, how many league games have you won since 2026?
Forget about how many games the total number of games we are all playing is 38 and we have played 23 with 50 points what points tell me
bwalyaalfred024
0
forget man bottlers FC is winning EPL
wimbdetu
2
City can't even win a match yet Silva talking shit
yubdekmtz
3
wa
KabMercury
3
in your dreams
Omatschibuike
1
We still have many games to play,many teams will still drop points. That same hope you have, Arsenal FC do same. Let's keep our fingers crossed and see how it pans out, starting from this weekend
Heeabcilmn
1
in his dream
Bengudmman
0
De play. And you want to jump your opponents ?
Notabckm
0
arsenal can not win premier league this season if no ask Bakayoko at joju junction zango ota
just focus on real madrid
Robbdirtu
0
This whole narrative will change when Man United wins 5 consecutive games
and others are going to lose 5 game's in a roll right π
Wazeknors
0
πππ This is the moment Iβm start enjoying watching EPL matches
Zobimrtyz
2
Bull shit how Many game man city lost or draw...?
Yibdikmors
2
Bro is forgetting this is not the usual city we know in the past few years π Soon city will go where they belong
yes since they belong to position 1 as usual
zadbclmpuz
1
arsenal can not win premier league this season if no ask Bakayoko at joju junction zango ota
sango ota pple I hail you from FCT How is ijamodo and omolabake
xstepho
6
Bro is forgetting this is not the usual city we know in the past few years π Soon city will go where they belong
sojibjony
0
ghu
Cescdmnprz
0
oga go and sit down you need remember that Manchester city is going to play Tottenham Hotspur this week
and so ?
Sparkfly101
0
Go and win the rest of the remaining 16 matches and let me see then. Even the next two fixtures is not sure yet. Let alone the winning the rest of the matches for the season. Keep dreaming
We shall see then
roaceopy
0
arsenal can not win premier league this season if no ask Bakayoko at joju junction zango ota
Yazablnrt
3
You mean Manchester United has given City hope
AFerusmc6546
0
if I had a pisto I wud hv killed u
Mumu
AFerusmc6546
0
Go and win the rest of the remaining 16 matches and let me see then. Even the next two fixtures is not sure yet. Let alone the winning the rest of the matches for the season. Keep dreaming
Dem get d power 2 win dan u