For Pep’s Little Magician

time and again with some sublime passes to complement his trademark swivels, dummies and feints.

Silva, who is now 34, almost latched on to Raheem Sterling’s cross inside three minutes, having produced a lovely step over in the build-up.

He then sent Riyad Mahrez racing clear down the right wing with a deft pass. Had Sterling not picked him out with a simple ball moments later following some woeful Gunners defending, Silva would have fired his side ahead. Alexandre Lacazette felt the full force of a biting challenge from Silva, who was then on the receiving end of an even cruder tackle from Shkodran Mustafi.

Having realised he’d just hacked down footballing royalty, Mustafi was quick to offer his hand along with a sincere apology.

Silva has that effect on people. He commands the utmost respect. Everyone likes him – because there is nothing to dislike about him.

Moments later the first drinks break arrived and Silva stood behind Pep

Guardiola as he barked out frantic instructions. He might have grown up in humble surroundings in Gran Canaria honing his skills with oranges and potatoes, but there is nothing left for Silva to learn about football from Guardiola anymore.

Another slide-rule pass to Sterling on the stroke of half-time came to nothing when the opening was wasted and Silva was getting frustrated.

He continued to probe and press, but somehow the Gunners refused to buckle and held on to their advantage to secure a seismic triumph for Mikel Arteta against all the odds as the student got a big one over his teacher.

Not only did Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang’s two goals seal a famous win for the Gunners, they also meant this was the last time we got to see Silva at this famous ground.

It wasn’t the ending he wanted but sometimes even geniuses don’t get what they deserve.

Yet the memories he’s left – including 10 trophies at Wembley with this City side – will not be forgotten.