Pep Guardiola showed true colours with gesture spotted on pitch after Man City beat Arsenal

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola delivered a clear message of praise to one of his players after the victory over Premier League title rivals Arsenal at the Etihad

Pep Guardiola made sure Bernardo Silva got the praise he deserved after Manchester City’s win over Arsenal on Sunday. City claimed a 2-1 win over the Gunners in the Premier League title showdown at the Etihad Stadium to put their destiny now in their own hands.

City are now just three points behind Arsenal in the Premier League table, but have a game in hand which will see them face Crystal Palace later in the season.

Silva was one of the standout players for City in the win over Arsenal, with goals from Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland the difference for Guardiola’s team.

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After the final whistle, Guardiola was quick to go onto the pitch to express his appreciation to the City players, particularly Silva.

Guardiola could be spotted urging the home crowd at the Etihad to show their appreciation to Silva, before the City boss gave the club captain a hug.

Silva announced earlier this month that he would be leaving City at the end of the season, bringing an end to his nine-year spell at the Etihad following his move from Monaco in 2017.

The 31-year-old has won six Premier League titles during his time at City and will be determined to add another to his collection before the end of the season.

Guardiola was asked about Silva’s importance to the club after the win against Arsenal on Sunday, with the City boss sending an emotional message.

"If you continue to talk about him, I will cry, so be careful,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “It will be so emotional the moment when he is going to leave. Bernardo is Bernardo. You cannot define him.

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"I feel, sometimes, he has not been seen as a public figure. The stature, he is not fast, he is not strong... but football starts from here [points to his head] and finishes with the feet.

"I feel gratitude for what this guy has done for many, many years."

City have five matches remaining to try and win the Premier League title, starting with an away trip to Burnley that would see them climb above Arsenal to the top of the table with a victory.

There will also be games against Everton, Brentford, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, as well as an FA Cup semi-final against Southampton next weekend.