Manchester City centre-back John Stones has apologised to the club’s travelling supporters following their 5-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, a result that left the defending Premier League champions reeling.
Arsenal took an early lead through Martin Ødegaard and came close to doubling their advantage shortly after. City had chances of their own in a balanced first half and were back on level terms within ten minutes of the restart when Erling Haaland scored with a header.
However, City’s equaliser lasted less than a minute, as Thomas Partey’s shot deflected off Stones and into the net past goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. The visitors then collapsed, unable to prevent Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz, and Ethan Nwaneri from adding further goals to Arsenal’s tally.
“It’s difficult,” a visibly disappointed Stones told Sky Sports after the match. “We don’t take losing well, and it’s hard to put into words. Our pride is hurt, and we’re sorry to the fans who had to watch that last 30 minutes. It was not acceptable. As a collective, it’s not us — it’s not nice to be involved in that.”
City have now conceded 35 Premier League goals this season, surpassing the total they allowed in the entirety of last season — and more than their struggling rivals, Manchester United.
Stones described the mood in City’s dressing room as “emotional” after the final whistle. “We stopped doing what we were supposed to do. To concede the goals we did and to let them have so much of the ball is frustrating when we’re usually so dominant.”
Pep Guardiola backed Stones’ sentiments, agreeing with his player’s assessment. “I agree with Stones,” the City manager said. “We’re not used to that. In previous results, this team has grown up. We allowed the space we wanted to avoid, especially the space between the lines — that’s why we feel this at home.”
Guardiola acknowledged that his side had been “really good” for the first hour but admitted, “The last 20 minutes, we were found out.”
Stones concluded his interview with a message to City’s fans: “For our fans, who have been through the good and bad times, we have to make it right again.”
