Man City star aims dig at ‘dirty’ Arsenal after tense draw

Manchester City star John Stones questioned Arsenal’s ‘dirty tactics’ after the tense draw between the Premier League rivals.

The Gunners took the lead in the first-half through goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes but were reduced to 10 men just before the break with Leandro Trossard sent off.

Determined to hold onto their lead, Ben White was brought on at half-time with Bukayo Saka sacrificed as the Gunners sat in, frustrating the hosts.

Camped in their own half for most of the second period, David Raya, Gabriel Martinelli and Jurrien Timber were among those go down with cramp, calling for treatment to try and run down the clock.

Stones came off the bench to score a dramatic equaliser deep into injury time to rescue a draw and deny Arsenal top spot in the Premier League.

Asked if Arsenal showed they have mastered the dark arts of football, Stones told Sky Sports: ‘‘I don’t know if they’ve mastered it, they’ve done it for a few years.

‘We know to expect that. You can call it clever or dirty, whichever way you want to put it. They break up the game and obviously it upsets the rhythm for everyone. They use it to their advantage.

‘I thought we dealt with it really well. It’s not easy when those things happen and you’re trying to gain momentum and get above them.

‘Those little stoppages stop that and we controlled out emotions really well.’

He added: ‘They use a side of football that not many teams do. Make it difficult, slow it down.

‘Get the keeper on the floor to get some information on and we had to control our emotions in that time.’

City were frustrated by Arsenal’s backline throughout the second-half with Erling Haaland celebrating his side’s late winner by throwing the ball at the back of Gabriel’s head.

The draw keeps City top of the Premier League, a point clear of Liverpool and Aston Villa.