Manuel Pellegrini Has to Play to His Strengths and Use David Silva at No. 10

There were times in Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates when David Silva was so influential it left most people wondering why he isn’t played as a No. 10 more often.

When Silva is played centrally and given the freedom to roam, there are very few players in the Premier League who come close to matching his quality—his imperious display in north London on Saturday was just the latest example of his genius.

And with Alvaro Negredo gone, the chances of Silva being played just off a central striker have surely increased. Those who felt the loss of a 20-goal striker was a blow to City’s chances of success this season may end up reassessing that claim if Silva is given more opportunities to play in the hole.

This is the best player in the Premier League—the finest to ever wear the City shirt and the key to their chances of silverware this season. It may be a simple premise, but playing your best player in his best position seems a logical decision to make.  

But it wasn’t just Silva who sparkled; this was a wonderful 90 minutes, full of creativity, intricate passing and open, attacking football. 

City’s opener was all about the tenaciousness and finishing ability of Sergio Aguero and the pace of the outstanding Jesus Navas. Aguero won the ball near the halfway line and Navas found himself wide on the right with plenty of space to run into. Head down and cheeks puffed, he ran straight toward the byline before delivering a delightful cross into the path of Aguero, who finished neatly for his third league goal of the season.

The depth of City's midfield means Navas is yet to nail down a regular place after his move last summer, but performances like this do his case for starting no harm, particularly now that Negredo’s exit looks set to free space on the wings if it means Silva moves inside more regularly. He was a constant outlet throughout the game, his pace causing Nacho Monreal untold problems.

But credit to Arsenal; they too have outstanding ability going forward. With Alexis Sanchez’s pace and directness and Danny Welbeck’s work rate and ability to hold the ball up, this is the best side Arsene Wenger has put together in years.

A brilliant shimmy and finish from the improving Jack Wilshere brought them back into the game after half-time, before Sanchez’s wonder strike turned the match on its head.

City, though, weren't finished, and Martin Demichelis’ header after being left completely unmarked from a corner saw them equalise, and they will feel unfortunate not to have won the game after hitting the post twice and having a goal ruled out for offside in the closing stages. Silva was at the centre of everything throughout.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Fernandinho epitomised City's determination to leave London with a positive result. His start to the season has been patchy, a World Cup hangover seemingly holding him back from hitting the heights of last season. This, though, was a display full of energy and vision, and with Fernando out injured, his importance to the side cannot be underestimated.

Unusually, Pellegrini lamented the officiating after the game, listing what he felt were poor decisions from referee Mark Clattenburg. The foul on Aguero in the build up to Wilshere's goal was soft and barely worthy of complaint, as was the “push” in Vincent Kompany’s back from Welbeck just before Sanchez’s strike.

Where Pellegrini definitely has grounds for complaint, though, was Clattenburg’s inability to spot a clear handball from Wilshere inside the penalty area. That, undoubtedly, was a penalty, but Arsenal got away with it.

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Pellegrini rarely criticises referees but he has started his press conference here complaining about Mark Clattenburg's "very bad day"

— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) September 13, 2014"

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Pellegrini says "clear fouls" before both Arsenal goals and furious no penalty for Wilshere handball

— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) September 13, 2014"

In a game in which City were missing the commanding presence of Yaya Toure and Fernando in midfield, to play with such fluidity and leave the Emirates with a point must surely be seen as a good result. Going into Wednesday's game at Bayern Munich and next weekend's home match with Chelsea, a defeat would have been disastrous.

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What can I say. Enough talking points but it was a good game. Hope all fans had a good time. Next stop Munich. #MCFC

— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) September 13, 2014"

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here: @RobPollard_