“Angry” Man City star apologises to fans after Arsenal thrashing | OneFootball

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A ruthless display at the Emirates left Manchester City stunned as Arsenal extended their unbeaten run in style.

A fast start, clinical finishing, and a brutal second-half surge exposed City’s vulnerabilities and left John Stones apologising to their fans for an ‘unacceptable’ performance.

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Arsenal demolished Manchester City 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium with a dominant performance.

Martin Ødegaard opened the scoring just 103 seconds into the match after a mistake from Manuel Akanji.

Erling Haaland briefly equalised in the second half with a towering header, but Arsenal responded instantly. Thomas Partey restored the lead with a deflected shot before teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly made it 3-1 with a brilliant solo goal.

Kai Havertz finished off a swift counter-attack to extend the lead, and Ethan Nwaneri sealed the emphatic victory with a precise strike in stoppage time. The win stretched Arsenal’s unbeaten Premier League run to 14 matches.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

After the game, John Stones admitted the 5-1 defeat was tough to take, describing the dressing room as an “emotional place.” He apologised to travelling fans, calling the team’s last 30 minutes “unacceptable” and uncharacteristic.

Stones acknowledged Arsenal played well and credited them for their performance. But he felt City had controlled the game for around 60-65 minutes and was frustrated by the manner of the goals conceded, particularly after City’s equaliser. He claimed the goal that deflected off him shifted momentum, and he admitted City struggled to respond.

He also expressed anger and disappointment over the team’s inability to regain control, saying they must avoid letting setbacks dictate their play. Despite the frustration, he emphasised the need to bounce back, believing such defeats can make the team stronger.

“It’s difficult for all of us,” Stones told Sky Sports.

“It’s hard for me to put into words straight after a game like that. Our pride is hurt. I’m sorry to all the fans who travelled—how we played in the last 30 minutes was not acceptable. It’s not nice, it’s not us. Credit to Arsenal, this is not an easy place to come to, and they played really well against us. I think for 60-65 minutes, we played some good football and were in the game.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

“I’m angry and upset, both personally and collectively, for how the game finished for many reasons.”

Asked by the Sky Sports reporter what had happened in the last half hour, with the reporter seeming to think City were the favourites to go on and win from 1-1, Stones said, “That’s the magic question. Getting back into the game after half-time was a great feeling and a good situation to be in, but then to concede from a deflection off me, or a bit of luck, was tough.

“When there’s an overload at the back, you have to make a split-second decision to step out, and they got the luck on that. We can’t let those situations get on top of us—if they score, we need to go and get another one back. But today, it seemed to go the opposite way. It’s difficult to put into words.

“To concede the goals we did, and to allow them so much of the ball towards the end, is frustrating, especially for a team like us that is usually so dominant.

“I’ve been on both sides of it, and today was the wrong side to be on. The dressing room is an emotional place right now. We need to bounce back—I think these things make you stronger.”

Speaking at his press conference, Pep Guardiola was asked about Stones comments. “I would agree with him,” he said.

Arsenal are now nine points ahead of City, but six behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand.