BREAKING NEWS: “We are lucky to have secured so many Premier League titles before Arsenal became this strong,” says Man City star Bernardo Silva, who shares the one factor that could lead to Arsenal being named the 2024/25 PL Champions by June.

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has commended Arsenal for their remarkable improvement this season, particularly following the goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium.

The match, which ended City’s streak of scoring in 57 consecutive home games, showcased Arsenal’s robust defensive effort and earned them a valuable point.

Although the encounter fell short of expectations for a title showdown, Arsenal demonstrated impressive resilience. A standout performance from William Saliba, who was named Man of the Match by Gary Neville on Sky Sports, was instrumental in the result. Saliba’s presence this time around was a notable improvement from last April, when his absence contributed to Arsenal’s 4-1 loss to City.

In his post-match comments, Silva acknowledged Arsenal’s significant progress, describing them as a much stronger opponent. “They’ve become a very tough team to face,” Silva said to Sky Sports. “When they press high, it’s man-to-man, and when they sit deep, their wingers drop back to form a compact defensive line. Whether pressing or defending, they are very well-organized and make it hard to create opportunities against them.”

Silva highlighted Arsenal’s evolved approach compared to last season. “In April, they played man-to-man across the pitch, which made the game more open and risky against players like Kevin [De Bruyne] and Erling [Haaland]. This time, they were different—more experienced, more composed. Their young players have matured significantly, making them a much better side.”

Saliba’s contribution was a key factor in Arsenal’s improved defensive stability. Last season, his injury forced Arsenal to rely on Rob Holding alongside Gabriel Magalhães, a partnership that struggled against City’s attacking firepower.

This season, Saliba’s commanding presence has strengthened Arsenal’s backline, as seen in their ability to neutralize City’s attack and secure a crucial point against their title rivals.

Arsenal’s display underlined their growth in both maturity and tactical discipline, marking them as a formidable contender in the Premier League.