Manchester City defender John Stones has admitted his frustration at starting on the bench during City’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Arsenal but expressed relief after scoring a crucial equaliser in the 98th minute to salvage a point for his team, Soccernet.football reports.

City, looking for their fifth successive Premier League win, took the lead through Erling Haaland before conceding twice all inside the opening half at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal, who played much of the game with 10 men after Leandro Trossard was controversially sent off, were moments away from a famous win until Stones scrambled home a last-gasp equaliser from a corner.

Speaking after the game, Stones told Sky Sports via BBC: “You are frustrated that you don’t get to start in these big games, and before the game, I tried to channel it and have a positive attitude if needed to come on.”

He added, “I came on and tried to be inside the box for more crosses. One dropped to me and thankfully I put it in the back of the net. I’m really pleased to have scored the goal like that.”

Arsenal had earlier mounted a remarkable defensive display, taking the lead through goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel after Erling Haaland opened the scoring for City with his 100th goal for the club. Despite the Gunners’ resilience, they were undone in the dying seconds by Stones’ late strike.

Stones revealed City manager Pep Guardiola instructed him to play closer to Haaland and push forward to win aerial battles, a tactic that paid off in the final moments. “He wanted me to play closer to Erling, get higher up the pitch,” Stones explained.

Although City’s 100% winning start to the season has come to an end, Guardiola’s side remains at the top of the Premier League.

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