Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has criticized the Premier League for what he called “unfair” scheduling, saying players are being pushed too hard after City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Saturday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Silva, a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s squad, voiced frustration that City had to play a high-stakes league game only three days after a Champions League fixture. He argued that the congested calendar increases the risk of injuries and lowers the quality of matches.

“We play every three days at the highest level, and it is not fair for the players,” Silva told reporters after the game at the Etihad Stadium. “The schedule is too tight. We want to give our best, but sometimes it is impossible with so little rest.”

The draw against Arsenal left City trailing Liverpool by two points in the Premier League table. Silva said the short turnaround between competitions was partly to blame for his team’s uneven performance.

City played in midweek against Real Madrid in the Champions League before facing Arsenal, while Mikel Arteta’s side had a full week to prepare. Silva suggested the difference showed in the final stages of Saturday’s match, as City struggled to maintain intensity.

“The level is very high in both competitions,” Silva said. “But if one team has seven days to rest and the other has three, it makes a huge difference. The league needs to protect the players more.”

The midfielder’s comments add to a growing debate in English football over fixture congestion. Managers including Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, and Arteta have previously complained that the Premier League and broadcasters prioritize television schedules over player welfare.

Guardiola himself has repeatedly warned that his squad cannot sustain peak performances with such limited recovery time. Last season, City played 61 competitive matches on the way to winning the treble of Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.

Arsenal’s late equalizer Saturday kept them level on points with City but ahead on goal difference. Liverpool remain in first place with 64 points, two clear of both rivals. With eight league games left, the title race remains wide open.

Silva’s frustration reflects concerns across Europe about the growing demands on elite players. UEFA has expanded its competitions, FIFA has added new tournaments, and domestic leagues continue to fill the calendar with cup matches and rescheduled fixtures.

The players’ union, FIFPRO, has also warned that the workload is unsustainable. In a recent report, the group said many top professionals are playing more than 70 games in a season, leaving little time for recovery.

Despite Silva’s remarks, Premier League officials have defended the schedule, saying fixtures are arranged in consultation with clubs, broadcasters, and police. They argue that balancing domestic and international competitions is complicated and that television contracts play a major role in setting dates and times.

For City, the draw against Arsenal was another sign of how tight the title race has become. With Liverpool also in contention, every point matters, and player fitness could decide the outcome in the final weeks.

Silva insisted his criticism was not an excuse for City’s result but a call for greater fairness.

“We are used to fighting until the end,” he said. “But if football wants to see the best of us, then the calendar has to change. Otherwise, players will suffer, and the fans will not see the best games.”

The Premier League has not yet responded to Silva’s latest comments. City will face Brighton next week before returning to European competition, continuing the demanding run of fixtures that sparked Silva’s outburst.

As the season enters its decisive stage, Silva’s warning highlights the balance between entertainment and exhaustion in modern football. Whether the league takes action remains to be seen, but his words reflect a growing unease among players about the game’s relentless pace.