Make Manchester City Frustrated, Arsenal Happy Or Dirty?

John Stones criticized Arsenal's game (Instagram/@johnstones5).

JAKARTA - Arsenal frustrated Manchester City when they clashed in the sixth week of the 2024/2025 Premier League at the Etihad Stadium, Sunday, September 22, 2024.

The Gunners' controversial goal to equalize 1-1 angered the entire Citizens.

Pep Guardiola kicked the chair on the bench. Goalkeeper Ederson protested loudly until he got a yellow card.

Arsenal even turned 2-1 ahead through Gabriel Magalhaes in the 45+1 minute.

Mikel Arteta's troops then played with 10 players throughout the second half after Leandro Trossard was given a red card in first-half injury time.

However, the number of players ahead did not immediately allow Manchester City to easily equalize and take the lead.

Arsenal even almost brought home three points if John Stones didn't score the equalizer in the 90+8 minute. Both teams ended up having to settle for one point with a score of 2-2.

City are still highlighting Arsenal's frustration, one of which is from defender John Stones.

"I don't know if they have mastered (the game). They have been doing it for several years and we know it can be expected."

"You can call it clever or dirty, whatever the way you call it," Stones told Manchester Evening News.

Stones admits they almost don't have the momentum to get up. David Raya and the defenders of Arsenal are trying hard every second to confront The Citizens attack.

Not only that, the Arsenal players also worked hard to waste time. The method was also supported by referee Michael Oliver who was reluctant to stop wasting time.

Everything is done to reduce the rhythm of Pep Guardiola's team's game. However, he deserves to be proud of his colleagues who can overcome the game - whether dirty or clever - owned by Arsenal.

"They broke the game. Obviously it interfered with everyone's rhythm of the game. They took advantage of it for their benefit. I think we handled it very well."

"It's not easy when those things happen and you try to get momentum. You try to move forward and surpass them. Those small stops stop us. I think we handle them very well."

"I think it was a tough afternoon for both teams. How they stopped the game, how they used the side of football that the team didn't do much, making it difficult, slowing it down, making goalkeepers go to the field for information."

"We have to control our emotions during those times. I feel like we did. It was a good fight today. A lot of tackles, some ridiculous decisions, but it's hard to digest everything after the game," Stones said.

The 2-2 draw against Arsenal makes Manchester City still firm at the top of the 2024/2024 Premier League standings.

The Citizens are unbeaten by four wins and one draw.