Manchester City reclaimed the Premier League top spot after John Stones scored a last-gasp equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw against a valiant 10-man Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
City started strong, with Erling Haaland netting his 100th goal for the club just nine minutes into the match.
However, Arsenal responded with Riccardo Calafiori’s spectacular 25-yard strike and Gabriel Magalhaes’ header to take the lead. The Gunners’ hopes were dented when Leandro Trossard was sent off for a second yellow card just before halftime. Despite being a man down, Arsenal’s defense held firm until the eighth minute of stoppage time, when Stones bundled home a dramatic equaliser to salvage a point for the hosts.
Reflecting on the match, Stones acknowledged the Gunners’ defensive resilience and their efforts to disrupt City’s play.
“It was a good battle, with a lot of tackles and some questionable decisions. It’s hard to take it all in right now, but we managed to come away with a point,” Stones told Sky Sports. “Towards the end, we could have been looking at our third loss in a row. We’ll review it, but with another game in just two days, things are moving quickly.”
Commenting on Arsenal’s strategy to slow the game down, Stones remarked, “I wouldn’t say they’ve mastered it, but they’ve been using this tactic for a few years now. Whether you call it clever or dirty, it definitely disrupts the rhythm. We kept our emotions in check and didn’t let it throw us off.”
Stones also emphasized the importance of maintaining composure in high-stakes matches. “In a big game like this, there’s always going to be drama. It’s crucial to stay level-headed and avoid unnecessary yellow cards. Arsenal made it tough for us, packing their defense around the box. It’s something we’ll need to analyze.”
Reflecting on the growing rivalry between the two clubs, Stones concluded, “For the past few years, this has been a competitive matchup. We always aim to be on top. We were hoping for three points, but leaving with one is something to be proud of.”
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