Late Stones Equalizer Salvages Point as Gunners’ Defensive Tactics Frustrate Champions
Manchester City players have accused 10-man Arsenal of resorting to the “dark arts” after securing a dramatic 2-2 draw against their Premier League rivals, thanks to a 98th-minute equalizer in a heated encounter at the Etihad Stadium.
John Stones scored deep into stoppage time to rescue a point for the champions, who struggled to break down a resilient Arsenal defense. The Gunners adopted a defensive approach after Leandro Trossard was sent off for a second yellow card before halftime, with the score at 2-1 in their favor.
Erling Haaland had put City ahead early in the ninth minute, but Arsenal responded with a stunning long-range strike from Riccardo Calafiori and a header from Gabriel to take the lead. Reduced to ten men, Arsenal retreated into their own half, determined to hold onto their advantage. However, Stones’ last-gasp effort denied them a famous victory.
City right-back Kyle Walker expressed frustration with Arsenal’s tactics during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live. “As a football match, it is a great spectacle for the Premier League. Probably not so much certain stuff – I think it’s part and parcel of the game and we’ll say the dark arts,” he said. “As a Manchester City fan or player, you are obviously frustrated. As an Arsenal manager, he is going to say well played and well managed.”
John Stones echoed his teammate’s sentiments, acknowledging that City expected such tactics from Arsenal. “I don’t know if they have mastered it, 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,” the England center-back stated. “They break up the game, and it upsets the rhythm for everyone. I thought we dealt with it really well. It’s not easy when those things are happening, and you’re trying to gain momentum.”
Bernardo Silva also took a swipe at Arsenal’s approach, comparing them to Liverpool. “The difference? I don’t know. Maybe that Liverpool have already won a Premier League, Arsenal haven’t. Liverpool have won a Champions League, Arsenal haven’t,” the Portugal midfielder remarked. “There was only one team that came to play football. The other came to play to the limits of what was possible to do and allowed by the referee, unfortunately. But at the end, we got a draw, the best we could get considering the context of the last moments of the match.”
The draw leaves Pep Guardiola’s side at the top of the Premier League table, with Arsenal sitting fourth. Both teams remain unbeaten this season, alongside Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest.
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