Manchester City defender John Stones criticised Arsenal’s time-wasting tactics after the teams played out a dramatic 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon.

Stones, who came on as a substitute, scored the equaliser eight minutes into injury time to secure a point for the home side and keep them top of the Premier League.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães gave the visitors a 2-1 lead from a corner, while City goalkeeper Ederson was blocked by Gabriel Martinelli.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Stones suggested Arsenal’s approach to the match could be seen as “dirty”.

“(It was) a difficult afternoon for both teams, how they stop the game and use a side of football that not many teams do,” he said.

“(They) make it difficult, slow it down, leave the ‘keeper’ on the floor to gather some information and we had to control our emotions during those times.”

Asked if City were frustrated by Arsenal’s ‘dark arts’, Stones replied: ‘They’ve been doing it for a few years now and we know to expect that.

“You can call it smart or dirty, whatever you want to call it, they break up the game and disrupt the rhythm for everyone. They use it to their advantage and I thought we handled it really well.

“It’s not easy when things like that happen and you try to get momentum… those little setbacks stop that, but we kept our emotions under control very well.”

City play Watford in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and return to the Premier League on Saturday against Newcastle United.

GALLING DEEPER

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