Arsenal time-wasting tactics expected, says Man City’s John Stones

Manchester City’s defensive midfielder John Stones called Arsenal’s time-wasting tactics clever and dirty. The Cityzens played a 2-2 draw against the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Erling Haaland scored in the ninth minute of the game to put the hosts in front and also equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record. The Norwegian scored his 100th goal in 105th appearance for the Sky Blues and joined the Portuguese as the fastest to reach 100 goals for a European club.

After only 13 minutes, Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori scored his maiden Premier League goal to equalize for the visitors. The tourists then took the lead as Gabriel Magalhães scored in the stoppage time before the half-time whistle. But Arteta’s team was reduced to 10 men after Leandro Trossard received a red card.

John Stones then scored in injury time to level the score for Pep Guardiola’s team.

Seven minutes were allotted in the stoppage time but Arsenal players took their time to take set pieces and they also fell to the ground, complaining of injuries and cramps.

“It was a difficult afternoon for both teams — how [Arsenal] stop the play, how they use the side of football that not many teams do,” Stones told Sky Sports. “They slow the game down, they get the keeper on the floor so they can get some information onto the pitch.

“We had to control our emotions during those tough times, and I felt like we did. There were a lot of tough tackles, some silly decisions, but we did well.”

“I wouldn’t say they have mastered it, but they have done it for a few years now, so we knew to expect that,” Stones said when asked if Arsenal have mastered the skill of time wasting. “You can call it clever or dirty, whichever way you want to put it.

“But they break up the game, which upsets the rhythm. They use it to their advantage and we dealt with it very well.”

Manchester City will next take on Watford in the third round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday.