Furious John Stones SLAMS Man City’s ‘unacceptable’ performance in last 30 minutes of 5-1 thrashing by Arsenal – as defender apologises for manner of defeat

Manchester City suffered a crushing 5-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in what was a statement victory for Mikel Arteta’s side. The reigning champions were left stunned as they collapsed in the final 30 minutes, with John Stones publicly criticizing his team’s performance.

The match started in disastrous fashion for City, with Martin Ødegaard striking just two minutes into the game after a defensive error. Arsenal’s early lead set the tone for the match as they pressed aggressively, causing discomfort for Pep Guardiola’s men.

City had a brief glimmer of hope when Erling Haaland found the net shortly after halftime, leveling the score. However, their joy was short-lived as Arsenal responded instantly. Just seconds after the restart, Thomas Partey’s shot took a heavy deflection off Stones and trickled past Stefan Ortega, restoring Arsenal’s advantage.

That goal seemed to completely break City’s spirit. Their defensive shape crumbled, and Arsenal took full advantage of their vulnerabilities. Teenage sensation Miles Lewis-Skelly extended the lead in the 62nd minute, capitalizing on another lapse in City’s backline.

With momentum fully in Arsenal’s favor, Kai Havertz piled on further misery in the 76th minute, slotting home the fourth goal after a brilliant team move. The home crowd erupted as City players looked increasingly frustrated and out of ideas.

In stoppage time, Arsenal’s dominance was completed by another teenager, Ethan Nwaneri, who fired in the fifth goal, sealing City’s heaviest defeat against the Gunners in over two decades. The reigning champions were left stunned, their hopes of retaining the Premier League title slipping further away.

John Stones, who played a pivotal role in City’s previous triumphs, did not hold back in his post-match interview. The England international expressed deep disappointment over the manner of the defeat, calling City’s collapse in the final half-hour “unacceptable.”

“It’s difficult – all of us don’t take losing well,” Stones admitted. “It’s hard for me to put into words actually straight after a game like that. Sorry to the fans that traveled. To watch that and how we played in the last 30 minutes is not acceptable. It’s not us, it’s not nice to be involved in that when it’s not your team or yourself in those situations.”

City looked unrecognizable from the side that dominated English football in recent years. Their defense, usually so disciplined, was carved open repeatedly by Arsenal’s relentless attacking movement. The absence of key players like Ruben Dias and Kevin De Bruyne was evident, but the sheer lack of fight from the team was alarming.

Arsenal, on the other hand, were sensational. Mikel Arteta’s men showed their title credentials with a fearless performance, combining defensive solidity with ruthless efficiency in front of goal. The Gunners’ victory extended their unbeaten run in the league to 14 matches, further solidifying their position in the title race.

City’s defeat leaves them fourth in the Premier League table, a staggering 15 points behind the league leaders. Guardiola now faces an uphill battle to salvage City’s season, with even a top-two finish now looking uncertain.

For Arsenal, this was more than just three points. It was a statement win, a reminder to the rest of the league that they are serious contenders. Young stars like Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri stepping up in such a big match highlights the depth and quality Arteta has at his disposal.

City will have to regroup quickly, with a crucial fixture against Newcastle coming up. Guardiola will need to address the glaring defensive issues and restore confidence in his squad if they are to avoid further setbacks.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s next challenge will be an away trip to Leicester, where they will look to continue their impressive form. With momentum firmly on their side, the Gunners are now one of the favorites to go all the way this season.

As the dust settles on this humiliating defeat, questions will be raised about City’s ability to compete at the highest level this season. Can Guardiola turn things around, or is this the beginning of the end of City’s dominance in English football?

Only time will tell, but for now, Arsenal fans can celebrate a historic night at the Emirates, while City are left searching for answers.