‘It’s not the right way’: John Stones slams Pep Guardiola’s tactics vs Arsenal in brutal admission

Last Updated on 8 October 2025

John Stones has openly criticised Manchester City’s park the bus approach in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

Manchester City led 1-0 for much of the match but dropped deep in the final stages, registering just 33.2% possession, their lowest figure in a Premier League game under Pep Guardiola.

‘Not in our DNA’ John Stones criticizes Manchester City’s unplanned tactics in Arsenal draw

Manchester City defender John Stones has hit out at his side’s decision to “park the bus” in last month’s clash with Arsenal, saying the cautious approach went against everything the club stands for.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the England international said, “No, it wasn’t planned and I think it’s definitely not in our DNA as a team to go out and do that. I believe it’s not the right way to go out and win a football match by sitting on the edge of your box.”

The strategy ultimately backfired when Gabriel Martinelli struck a late equaliser to rescue a point for the Gunners.

While Guardiola denied changing tactics post-match, Stones suggested the decision to sit back was not part of the plan. Stones, who came on as an 87th-minute substitute, admitted the decision was instinctive rather than tactical.

“It was a mixture of things, definitely not a tactical kind of set-up from us. Looking back, it’s very uncharacteristic of how we’ve played over the ten years that I’ve been there.”

Erling Haaland and Gianluigi Donnarumma carrying new-look Manchester City

In what has been a slow departure from his ideals, Pep Guardiola has tweaked his system for the 2025/26 campaign.

Signing Gianluigi Donnarumma was seen as a shock move, not because Donnarumma is not an excellent goalkeeper. Rather because his style of goalkeeping is nothing like the goalkeeper he was replacing, Ederson.

For what it’s worth, and despite it being a short sample size, the tweak seems to be working, albeit slowly. Donnarumma has already come up with two fantastic performances, once against Brentford in City’s 1-0 win and against Arsenal in that 1-1 draw.

On the other end of the pitch, Erling Haaland is carrying the attack on his shoulders. Despite being the focal point of Guardiola’s attack for the past few seasons, he seems to be doing a lot more this time around.

Haaland has already been directly involved in 66% of all Premier League goals that City have scored.

The question is, can this new-look City side challenge the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal for the title? If City do go all the way, it might just be Pep’s most impressive achievement, yet.