Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed why he felt he had to apologise to defender John Stones following his side's 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The Citizens came from behind after Theo Walcott's early strike to take all three points after Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling scored second half goals to send Pep's men into second place in the league, seven points off the leaders Chelsea.
Summer signing Stones was left on the bench for the home side after a calamitous few weeks at theback for his side, including an intercepted back-pass that gifted Jamie Vardy his third in City's 4-2 loss away to Leicester City, with Aleksander Kolarov and Nicolas Otamendi the preferred pairing against the Gunners.
And according to theTimes, Guardiola has admitted that he felt bad for leaving out the England international, as well as Bacary Sagna, who was brought on at half-time, suggestingthey didn't deserve to be benched for such a huge clash.
"I just apologised to John because he doesn't deserve to be out," said the former Barcelona boss.
John Stones out again for Manchester City - big price obviously no factor on Guardiola's decision-making. Clearly feels he needs spell out.
"I love him a lot. He is a really nice guy and he is good, but I just tried to play the same back four we played against Watford.
"Bacary Sagna also deserves to play. He is the nicest person I ever met, a polite guy, a gentleman, always thinking about the team and of course he also deserves to play, but I decided to play the same back four."
Up next for City is a trip to bottom dwellers Hull City, before paying a visit to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool at Anfield in another top-of-the-table clash.