As the Premier League title race edges towards what could be a defining night in April, Manchester City face the prospect of tackling their biggest rivals without one of their most trusted players.
Bernardo Silva is walking a disciplinary tightrope that could rule him out of the pivotal meeting with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. With eight yellow cards already collected in the Premier League this season, the Portugal international is just two cautions away from triggering a two-match suspension — a scenario that would leave City short of one of their most reliable performers at the sharpest end of the campaign.
City trail the Gunners by five points in the table, although they do hold a game in hand over Mikel Arteta’s side. The return fixture between the two heavyweights in April has long been circled as a potential title decider, a contest that could ultimately determine who lifts the trophy.
For now, though, City’s attention is fixed elsewhere. Manager Pep Guardiola has warned against reading too much into the table at this stage, insisting that the campaign still has several twists left to unfold.
Guardiola expecting turbulence in run-in
Guardiola, a veteran of numerous title battles in England and beyond, believes the congested calendar will shape the final stretch of the season. His side remain active in multiple competitions, including the FA Cup and the Champions League, and the accumulation of fixtures is beginning to bite.
“Many things are going to happen. I have a feeling that we are not going to win all our games. Arsenal, I don’t know,” Guardiola said.
“But I have this feeling, because FA Cup, Champions League games, then comes trouble. Many, many games. Injuries will come. The best way is to relax now and focus on Leeds, then we’ll see. It will depend on our level, it needs to be better, better, better.
“We have a lot of new players, that’s why they have to live it. I’ve said, forget about it. We have to improve, it’s not enough. To compete to win the Premier League you have to be there. We proved ourselves to win the three points but we have to do better to have the chance to do it.”
The City manager’s message is clear: progress so far counts for little unless standards rise further. Even after grinding out valuable victories, Guardiola has repeatedly called for sharper execution, greater consistency and improved control — hallmarks of his most dominant sides.
His light-hearted advice during the recent break underlined the balance he seeks between intensity and composure.
“I say to the guys, ‘take a lot of caipirinhas and daiquiris in these three days, enjoy life’. And after that, make a proper three training sessions and go to Leeds. That is a proper way. I know how difficult it will be. If it doesn’t go well, we keep going, never give up. Ten or 11 games is a lot in the Premier League.”
Those final matches could define City’s season. Ten or 11 fixtures may sound manageable on paper, but when layered with cup ties and European nights, they test both depth and discipline. That is precisely why Silva’s booking situation looms large.
Silva’s importance underlined as suspension threat looms
Silva’s influence at City stretches far beyond the measurable. While he may not always dominate headlines with goals or assists, his versatility, relentless pressing and tactical intelligence make him indispensable to Guardiola’s system.
The 31-year-old has appeared in all 27 of City’s Premier League outings this season, starting 23 of them. In a squad brimming with international talent, such consistency speaks volumes about his standing. Whether deployed in midfield, drifting wide or tasked with a more industrious role, Silva has been a near-constant presence.
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His honours list at the Etihad underlines his pedigree. Since arriving in 2017, he has lifted six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League. Few in the dressing room can match that haul.
Guardiola’s admiration for Silva has been evident for years. Back in November, he offered a revealing assessment of the midfielder’s value.
“He doesn’t score too many goals or is not involved in all the assists. He has never done that, but he gives us and himself something that is not in the stats, and a lot of things that are incredibly valuable to us. Absolutely one of the best players I have ever trained in my career.”
That endorsement captures why the looming threat of suspension carries such weight. Silva’s contribution often lies in the subtleties: covering passing lanes, linking phases of play, pressing with precision and setting the rhythm in tight encounters.
In a fixture as finely balanced as a potential title decider against Arsenal, those qualities can be decisive.
