Wilfried Bony said he was "disappointed" not to start Manchester City's crucial Premier League clash against Arsenal on Monday Night Football.
The Ivory Coast international had scored three goals in City's last four games, but was consigned to the substitutes' bench as Manuel Pellegrini opted for the the returning Sergio Aguero in his starting line-up at the Emirates.
Bony, who has scored seven goals since mid-October in all competitions, replaced Aguero - who was playing his first game for more than three weeks because of a heel injury - during the second-half with City trailing 2-0.
Bony said: "He [Aguero] is coming back from injury. He hasn't played for a few weeks.
"I'm disappointed that I didn't start but I'm not the coach. The coach does what he thinks is best for the team."
Bony arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Swansea in January for a fee of £28m but has only started 10 Premier League games since.
Bony added that despite City's late rally which saw Yaya Toure halve Arsenal's lead, the Gunners were worthy winners.
He said: "We didn't play well. I think they deserved to win. I think we will find our way in the next game so we just have to think about that."