Bernardo Silva is walking a disciplinary tightrope after picking up yellow cards in three consecutive Premier League matches.
The Manchester City captain now has eight cautions for the season after Thomas Bramall took his name for a combination of a foul and dissent during Saturday’s pulsating 2-1 win over Newcastle United.
Players are hit with a two-match ban if they accumulate 10 yellow cards through a season, with the tally reset after the 32nd game of the campaign.
City’s weekend victory was their 28th – ahead of games against Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, West Ham United and Chelsea to complete that set.
The crunch title clash with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium is the 33rd and two bookings before that point would likely see Silva miss the visit of Mikel Arteta’s side on April 18.
Yellow cards in the Premier League are not carried over to the domestic cup competitions, so next month’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal or the trip to Newcastle in the FA Cup are unaffected.
Silva’s performances have been a major contributing factor in City staying with Arsenal in the title race and Pep Guardiola has said he wants the Portuguese to sign a new contract.
The 31-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, with Benfica, Juventus and Chicago Fire among those keen on landing him on a free transfer.