The fallout from Manchester City v Arsenal is still rumbling on a day later and Chris Sutton is not impressed with what he’s heard from City defender John Stones.
A late goal from Stones ensured City took a point from the Gunners in desperate fashion and there’s been plenty of talking points following the game.
A red card for Leandro Trossard has been the major talking point. Dermot Gallagher has said Trossard and Arsenal can have no issues, but there’s been even more fallout beyond that decision.
Arsenal had to dig deep in the second half and effectively camped on the edge of the box for much of the second 45 miutes.
That tactic saw John Stones come out and suggest the Gunners had spoiled the game a touch.
“I don’t know if they have mastered it, they’ve done it for a few years, and 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 it upsets the rhythm for everyone,” Stones said.
However, while Stone makes a point that some will agree with, Chris Sutton has suggested that the City defender is being a bit of a hypocrite.
Chris Sutton calls out John Stones for his comments on Arsenal
Speaking on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast, Sutton has suggested that Stones wind it in a bit and claimed that all teams do the same over the course of a season
“How effective they are from set plays. I mean, what was evident was the time wasting. But everybody does it, Ian,” Sutton said.
“Every team does it. And then when it goes against them, you know, everybody starts whinging and moaning. It’s hypocrisy from John Stones.
“Maybe Manchester City are one of those teams because they’re so superior who don’t need to do it as much as anybody else. But I think had they been in the same position, down to 10 men, I mean, David Rea, who had a marvellous game, every time he collected the ball, I mean, there’s that six second rule, isn’t there, for goalkeepers? I was actually counting.”
Arsenal lay a big glove on City
There was a lot of talk about this by pundits afterwards but this very much felt like a game where a real rivalry was born again.
£47m man Stones’ comments here suggest that Arsenal are a problem for City now and while City keep on winning the big trophies, they know the Gunners can stop them.
Had Arsenal won and held on, it would have felt like a huge momentum shift and almost a blueprint for teams to get points against Guardiola’s side.
Rest assured, City know they’ve been in a battle here and Stones coming out with such comments says a lot.
