Manchester City star Bernardo Silva has heaped praise on Premier League title rivals Arsenal.
The Gunners currently find themselves first in the table, five points ahead of City - who they are yet to face yet this season. The two sides will battle it out at the Emirates Stadium next month and they may be set to play even earlier depending on Arsenal's FA Cup match against Oxford United this evening.
If Mikel Arteta's men defeat the League 1 outfit tonight, they will travel up north to the Etihad to take on the Citizens in the fourth round of the cup after the reigning league champions defeated Chelsea 4-0 on Sunday afternoon. Now, City playmaker Silva has been speaking about the prospect of playing Arsenal, hailing the influence of Arteta - who was an assistant coach with the Manchester-based club for three and a half years before heading to the capital.
READ MORE: Arsenal handed major Emile Smith Rowe injury boost ahead of FA Cup clash vs Oxford
"We knew there was a possibility of a huge growth at Arsenal this season," Silva said, via the Manchester Evening News. "They have a very good manager and lots of young players full of desire to win.
"It doesn't surprise me. Let's wait to see what happens in their match tomorrow but it's fair to say our draws this season have been hard!"
A win tonight for Arsenal would mean that they would play City twice in two weeks but first comes a mouth-watering north London derby away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday before they welcome Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium one week later. It is undoubtedly a crucial time in the season for Arteta and Co, who are hoping to win the club their first league title since the 2003/04 campaign - when they famous went the entire season unbeaten in the league.
READ NEXT:
Mikel Arteta hints Mykhaylo Mudryk's dream Arsenal move can happen after supporting player power
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Arsenal's Oxford test, transfer latest and touchline behaviour
Mikel Arteta delivers update on Emile Smith Rowe's fitness ahead of Oxford vs Arsenal
Diego Simeone makes Joao Felix demand as Edu continues negotiations over £16m Arsenal loan deal
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: The latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
