Manchester City stars Bernardo Silva and John Stones call Arsenal’s ‘dark arts’ into question after fiery 2-2 draw at the Etihad

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and John Stones blasted Arsenal’s shady dealings after a storming 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium last night.

Stones broke Arsenal’s hearts when he scored a 98th-minute equaliser on an afternoon when the Premier League champions were still deeply frustrated by their rivals for this year’s title.

City’s players were visibly irritated by the perceived time-wasting antics of Mikel Arteta’s team and Rodri – who escaped with a nasty knee injury – became embroiled in a furious exchange with the away bench.

Silva and Stones criticised their opponents after both sets of players were involved in a shoving match late in the game. ‘There was only one team that came to play football,’ Silva said.

‘The other one unfortunately played at the limits of what the referee allowed and what he could do (Michael Oliver).

Arsenal’s harsh tactics were also called into question after City midfielder Rodri was sent off with a knee injury after committing two heavy fouls in ten minutes

Stones, who scored City’s equaliser in the 98th minute of the match, said: ‘They’ve come to expect it [from Arsenal players]’who do it to ‘disrupt and disrupt the rhythm of the game’

“We are not happy because we wanted the three points, but I am happy with the way we started playing. I am happy that we always go out on the pitch to try to win every game. It all started in the very first seconds.

‘There was a player injured (Rodri) after they sent him down twice in ten minutes.

‘We conceded a goal after the referee called our captain and then didn’t give him a chance to regain his position. The second goal is their usual block on our keeper, allowed by the referee.

‘And then the referee allowed a series of time-wasting events to happen. What bothers me most is the many meetings with the FA at the start of each season.

“They tell us that they will stop these kinds of situations, but in the end it has no value. They say a lot, but nothing happens.”

Silva (below) was then asked if the rivalry was any different to that between City and Liverpool, and he took the opportunity to remind Arsenal that they haven’t won many trophies of late.

“The difference maybe is that Liverpool have already won a Premier League title and Arsenal haven’t,” said Silva.

‘Liverpool have won a Champions League, Arsenal haven’t. Liverpool have always faced us to win the games, so from that perspective the games against Arsenal were not like the ones we had against Liverpool.’

Stones agreed with his team-mate. ‘They’ve been doing it for a few years, we know to expect that,’ he added. ‘You can call it smart, dirty, whatever you want to call it. They break up the game and it disrupts the rhythm.

‘It was a difficult afternoon. They stopped the game and used a side of football that not many teams show.’

The 2-2 draw between City and Arsenal was marked by several fierce tensions in the match

Goalscorers Erling Haaland and Gabriel got into a heated dispute on the touchline after Haaland appeared to throw the ball at the heads of Arsenal defenders

Erling Haaland threw the ball at Gabriel’s head after the Stones’ equaliser, with the players soon after being involved in a brawl when Haaland and Thomas Partey collided.

Leandro Trossard also received red for two yellow cards before half-time, the second of which was for kicking the ball away.

Pep Guardiola said: ‘I don’t know how many (Arsenal) players have suffered from cramp.’