Manchester City defender John Stones claims Arsenal have become one of the toughest opponents in the Premier League, citing their ability to master the “darker arts” of football under Mikel Arteta.
In a match filled with tension, Arsenal found themselves down to 10 men after Leandro Trossard was controversially sent off for delaying the game by kicking the ball away. Despite being a man down for almost the entire second half, Arsenal held onto a 2-1 lead until City’s late heroics.
Substitute John Stones stepped up in the eighth minute of stoppage time to score a crucial equalizer, ensuring City’s unbeaten run at home in the Premier League extended to nearly two years. His late goal kept City at the top of the table, narrowly ahead of Arsenal, who slipped to fourth.
City Frustrated by Arsenal’s Tactics
City struggled to break down an Arsenal side that was content to sit back, disrupt play, and protect their narrow lead. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, John Stones didn’t hold back in assessing Arsenal’s approach.
“This has been their pattern for several years, so we’re accustomed to it,” John Stones said. “You can call it clever or dirty – either way, they break up the game and disrupt the rhythm. It’s frustrating, but they use it well.”
John Stones emphasized how these tactics affected City’s flow, but he praised his team’s resilience in finding a way through. “We dealt with it really well. When the game keeps stopping, it’s hard to gain momentum. But we stayed calm and controlled our emotions.”
Arteta’s Arsenal: Grit Meets Style
While Arteta’s Arsenal are known for their attractive style of play, they’ve developed a streetwise edge in recent seasons. Having twice battled City for the title, they’ve become experts at stifling opponents when needed. This tactical discipline was on full display at the Etihad, where they frustrated City’s usual free-flowing football.
City looked poised to dominate early on, with Savinho setting up Erling Haaland for his 100th goal in a City shirt. Yet Arsenal quickly responded, with a thunderous strike from Riccardo Calafiori leveling the score before Gabriel headed them into the lead.
Trossard’s Red Card Changes Everything
The game took a dramatic turn when Trossard received his marching orders for kicking the ball away to delay a restart. It was a second dismissal this season for Arsenal over time-wasting tactics. Despite this, Arteta remained defiant.
“I’m proud of my team,” Arteta said. “We played almost an hour with 10 men against the best team in the world, at their stadium. It’s a miracle we kept them at bay for so long.”
Though Arsenal’s time-wasting tactics might not have been to everyone’s liking, Arteta defended his squad’s grit and resilience.
City’s Unbeaten Streak Lives On
For City, the late equalizer was a relief. It preserved their unbeaten run and allowed them to maintain a two-point lead at the top of the table. However, questions linger over how they can consistently break down teams like Arsenal, who have found success in slowing City’s usually relentless tempo.
As for Arsenal, this match will serve as another reminder of their ability to go toe-to-toe with the reigning champions, even when the odds are stacked against them. The battle between these two giants is far from over, and both sides know that the road to Premier League glory is paved with moments like this.
