Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has admitted that Arsenal deserved their 2-1 victory over his side at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night.
Toure pulled a goal back for Manuel Pellegrini's men with eight minutes remaining, but ultimately first-half goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud were enough to hand the Gunners three vital points in the title race.
The Ivorian conceded that it was a "bad result" for his side, but believes that the Premier League title will still go down to the wire this season.
"It is a bad result. We lost but the team played very well and it is not easy to come to the Emirates and play like that," Toure told Man City's official website.
"Full credit to the lads but Arsenal are a good team and it is not easy to come here and control the game. We have a chance to try and fight back on Saturday. This league this year is going to be very tight.
"After that the team started to push up but in the end we didn't do it. 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."
City next host Sunderland on Boxing Day looking to close the six-point gap to league leaders Leicester City.
Barney Corkhill
