Bruno Fernandes has hit back at critics for treating him differently to other foreign players in the Premier League, using Arsenal's club-record signing as an example.
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The Portugal international has now suggested that some other foreigners in the Premier League have received preferential treatment from the media compared to him following his arrival at Old Trafford at the beginning of 2020.
During Fernandes' first six months in the English top flight, the playmaker managed to find the back of the net 12 times and assisted a further eight strikes in his opening 22 matches in England. He would continue his rich vein of form in the 2020/21 campaign, scoring 28 goals and assisting 17 times.
The 28-year-old has since questioned why he was criticised by pundits when players such as Arsenal's record signing Nicolas Pepe, who is now out on loan at French side Nice, seemed to be given more leeway.
"He [Pepe] had some bad games and everyone was saying, 'He still has to adapt'," Fernandes said in an interview with The Athletic.
"But when Bruno was having a bad game, it was just because he was moaning or not focused on the game.
"For me, that was good, because it meant that I was ready and that's why they were demanding so much from me."
The Gunners made the Ivorian the most expensive player in their history when they paid Ligue 1 side Lille €80 million (R1.4 billion) for his services six months before Fernandes arrived on England's shores, but while Pepe arrived at the Emirates with a massive reputation, he failed to replicate his scintillating form in France in north London.
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Although the west African has had 48 goal involvements in his 112 appearances for Arsenal, the 27-year-old has not hit the heights expected by many within the football fraternity.
Fernandes himself has seen a dip in form since the beginning of last season, having managed to score only 10 goals during the entire 2021/22 campaign, but while the lack of goal threat has continued this season, the midfielder seemingly remains integral to manager Erik ten Hag plans.
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