Manchester City defender John Stones criticised Arsenal’s time-wasting tactics after the two sides played out a dramatic 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon.
Stones, on as substitute, scored the equaliser eight minutes into stoppage time to salvage a point for the hosts and keep them top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães had given the visitors a 2-1 lead from a corner while City goalkeeper Ederson was being blocked by Gabriel Martinelli.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Stones suggested Arsenal’s approach to the game could have been construed as “dirty”.
“(It was) a difficult afternoon for both teams, how they stop the play and use the side of football that not many teams do,” he said.
“(They) make it difficult, slow it down, get the ‘keeper on the floor to get some information on and we had to control our emotions during those times.”
Asked whether City had been frustrated with Arsenal’s “dark arts”, Stones replied: “They’ve done it for a few years and we know to expect that.
“You can call it clever or dirty whichever way you want to put it they break up the game and upset the rhythm for everyone. They use it to their advantage and I thought we dealt with it really well.
“It’s not easy when those things are happening and you’re trying to gain momentum… those little stoppages stop that but we controlled our emotions really well.”
City face Watford on Tuesday in the third round of the Carabao Cup before returning to Premier League action at Newcastle United on Saturday.
(James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
