Following Manchester City's heated home match against Arsenal in the fifth round of the English Premier League, Manchester City defender Stones spoke to Sky Sports to share his insights on the game.
On how he felt about not making his debut, Stones said, "I was really frustrated because it was a very important game. But as a professional player, I know how to control my emotions and keep a positive attitude so that I can get into shape quickly when the coach needs me. It has always been our team's belief to be united and always be ready no matter who is on the field."
Talking about his performance after coming on, Stones couldn't hide his excitement: "I came on and worked my way into the box, looking for a cross. Luckily, a ball fell right at my feet and I managed to put it in the back of the net. Goals like that make me very happy and are a reward for the efforts of our whole team."
On the instructions Guardiola gave himself before the game, Stones revealed, "He wanted me to get closer to Harland and take a more forward position on the pitch so that I could win more battles for the top of crosses. Although this is not a tactical arrangement that he has often asked for before, the team is highly interchangeable and everyone needs to be flexible in their runs and take their chances."
Stones expressed high concern about Arsenal's defensive tactics in the game: "They did slow down the pace of the game and used some 'dark arts' to disrupt our attack. But I would say this is not the first time they have used such tactics. They managed to disrupt the normal rhythm of the game, but we responded well. We can't say they were mean or clever, but they did find a way to work in their favor."
Speaking about the key moments of the game, Stones showed City's resilience: "For most of the game we were at a disadvantage. But we never gave up and always kept our desire to win. I never felt the game was over until the equalizer. We believe we can win any game, and that belief got us through when it mattered."
Finally, Stones also talked about the rivalry between Manchester City and Arsenal in recent years: "The competition between these two teams is getting more and more intense, and we are all growing in this competition. We always want to win, but to get a point at home today is something to be proud of. It's a testament to our strength and resilience."
