Manchester City’s Stones Expresses Regret Over ‘Unacceptable’ Collapse Against Arsenal

John Stones (30) has issued an apology to Manchester City supporters following the team’s disheartening 5-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, particularly in light of their second-half performance.

City managed to equalise shortly after the break when Erling Haaland struck back against Martin Odegaard’s opener, which came just two minutes into the match at the Emirates Stadium.

However, the tide turned dramatically for Pep Guardiola’s side when Thomas Partey’s shot deflected off Stones a mere 105 seconds later, propelling Arsenal back in front.

Goals from Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz, and Ethan Nwaneri compounded City’s misery, allowing Arsenal to take a measure of revenge after finishing as runners-up to City in the Premier League for the previous two seasons.

“I’m feeling angry and upset, both personally and as a team, about how the match concluded,” Stones remarked.

“None of us handle defeat well. Right after the game, it’s difficult to articulate the feelings.

“I want to apologise to the fans. To travel all this way and witness how we performed in the last 30 minutes is completely unacceptable.”

With this latest loss marking their seventh in the Premier League this season, City now sits fourth, an astonishing 15 points adrift of the summit, effectively ending their hopes of reclaiming the title they have dominated for four consecutive seasons.