John Stones was full of pride and emotion after his last-gasp 98th-minute goal salvaged a crucial 2-2 draw for Manchester City against Arsenal in a Premier League thriller.
In a game that saw City trailing for most of the match, Stones stepped up to score in the dying moments, securing a point in a dramatic finish at the Etihad Stadium.
His late strike brought relief and jubilation to City fans as they avoided what could have been a disappointing loss.
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City got off to a great start, with Erling Haaland scoring just nine minutes in, marking his 100th goal for the club. Everything seemed to be going smoothly for City, but Arsenal quickly responded.
Riccardo Calafiori stunned the home crowd with a brilliant goal, leveling the score and shifting the momentum. Not long after, Gabriel Magalhaes rose highest to head in Bukayo Saka’s corner, giving Arsenal a surprising 2-1 lead.
Things went from bad to worse for Arsenal when Leandro Trossard was sent off just before halftime for delaying a restart after fouling Bernardo Silva. This left Arsenal with 10 men for the rest of the match, forcing them to defend their lead against a relentless City attack.
With a man advantage, City pressed hard for an equalizer throughout the second half. Pep Guardiola’s team dominated possession and kept Arsenal pinned back, launching attack after attack.
However, Arsenal’s defense was incredibly disciplined, with Declan Rice, William Saliba, and Gabriel making life difficult for City’s forwards.
As the clock ticked down, City fans grew more anxious. Arsenal wasn’t just defending deep—they were also slowing down the game, frustrating City with time-wasting tactics that threw them off their rhythm.
Despite the pressure, Arsenal held firm, and it seemed like City’s chances were slipping away.
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Stones Saves the Day
Enter John Stones. The defender, who came off the bench, found himself in the right place at the right time in the 98th minute.
After a relentless period of pressure, the ball fell perfectly to Stones in the box, and he smashed it home, sending the Etihad into wild celebrations. His goal not only secured a vital point but also showed City’s never-say-die attitude.
“I’m so proud of how we fought until the end,” Stones said after the game. “It was a tough match, but we never gave up, and getting that point was huge for us.”
Stones also revealed that Pep Guardiola had instructed him to play closer to Haaland and be ready to win aerial duels and attack the box. “I was told to push higher up the pitch, and when the ball dropped to me, I was just lucky to be there to finish it off.”
Stones admitted that Arsenal’s tactics made things difficult for City. By constantly slowing down the game and disrupting the flow, Arsenal managed to frustrate City’s rhythm. Despite that, Stones was proud of how his team kept their cool.
“We had to stay calm and not let their tactics get to us. They were trying to break up the game, and we knew that. But we kept our heads, didn’t make any silly mistakes, and eventually, we got the goal,” Stones reflected.
Stones also talked about the growing rivalry between City and Arsenal, which has been heating up over the past few seasons. “There’s definitely a rivalry building between us. These games are always intense, and we thrive on that challenge. We want to come out on top every time, and today was another tough battle.”
Stones didn’t start the match, but he kept a positive mindset despite being on the bench for such a high-profile game. His patience paid off, as he made a crucial impact when City needed it most.
“I was frustrated not to start, of course, but I stayed ready. The manager always emphasizes that everyone has a role to play, and I was happy to contribute when I came on,” Stones said.
His goal, a testament to his mental strength and determination, turned what could have been a frustrating day for City into one of relief and celebration.
