Tuesday 22 December 2015 12:46, UK
Yaya Toure reckons Arsenal deserved to beat Manchester City at the Emirates on Monday night.
First-half strikes from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud put the Gunners in control and they held on for a vital three points after Toure pulled a goal back late on.
The win moved Arsenal four points clear of third-placed City in the Premier League table and two behind leaders Leicester City.
City are now without an away win in the Premier League since September 12 and Toure knows they cannot afford to drop any more points when they host Sunderland on Boxing Day.
"It is a bad result," Toure told his club's official website. "We lost but the team played very well and it's not easy to come to the Emirates and play like that.
"Full credit to the lads but Arsenal are a good team and it's not easy to come here and control the game.
"That is football and sometimes we have to accept we can lose close games like that. We are greatly disappointed but Arsenal played very well and deserved the win.
"We have a chance to try and fight back on Saturday. This league this year is going to be very tight."
