Unacceptable: John Stones apologizes to Man City fans after 5-1 Arsenal humbling

Manchester City defender John Stones has issued an apology to the club’s fans following their crushing 5-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday.

The reigning champions were outclassed as Arsenal ran riot, with Martin Ødegaard giving the Gunners an early lead.

Erling Haaland briefly restored parity early in the second half, but City collapsed soon after.

A deflected Thomas Partey strike, followed by goals from Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz, and Ethan Nwaneri, sealed a humiliating loss.

“It’s difficult,” Stones told Sky Sports. “We don’t take losing well, and it’s hard for me to put into words.

“Our pride is hurt, and we’re sorry to the fans who came to watch that last 30 minutes. It was not acceptable. As a collective, it’s not us – it’s not nice to be involved in that.”

City have now conceded 35 Premier League goals this season—more than the entirety of last season and even more than struggling rivals Manchester United.

Manager Pep Guardiola echoed Stones’ frustrations, acknowledging that City played well for an hour but were ultimately “found out” in the closing stages.

“The last 20 minutes we allowed too much space, and that’s why we have the feeling at home,” Guardiola admitted.

With City’s title hopes fading, Stones vowed that the team would respond. “For our fans who have gone through the good and bad times, we have to make it good again.”