Pep Guardiola’s side leapfrogged the Gunners to move back top of the Barclays Premier League with Wednesday night’s win at the Emirates Stadium.
City had just 36.5% possession, but Toure said it showed that they are capable of winning in a different way.
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And the former City defender, who was a special guest on our Matchday Live show, praised Erling Haaland for his ability to lead the line.
“Haaland is bringing another dimension to the game,” Toure said. “You could see that when they were going long, he can hold the ball and fight. He fought Gabriel and won a penalty but unfortunately it was disallowed.
“It showed that City can win in a different way. Before we’ve see City where they starve you of the ball, they are not going to lose. Now they can play long and still win the game.”
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Toure also praised the defending throughout the team as City restricted the home side to just a single shot on target, which was Bukayo Saka’s goal from the penalty spot.
“People talk about how good City are with the ball, against Arsenal they showed how good they are without the ball,” he added.
“They were defending all together, very disciplined and that’s what it takes to be a champion. It doesn’t matter whether you are Haaland or Jack [Grealish] or [Ilkay] Gundogan, you need to do your work. That’s why City are the champions.”
Fellow Matchday Live guest Paul Dickov was delighted for Grealish after his coolly taken goal that put City back ahead.
The former City striker says he will be an important player for Guardiola in the title run-in.
“I’m delighted for Jack Grealish because he deserves to have a big goal in a big game,” he said.
“He got one in the derby, but we went on to lose that game but that one against Arsenal was so important.
“He’s such an important player for City. His performances have been outstanding.”
Toure added: “He’s a player that, when you play against a team that press you that high like Arsenal did, Jack can get the ball turn and drive the ball.
“Because he has great power and can play a one-two or pass two or three players, that’s why he’s very important. That’s why Pep got him because he knows this is a guy that can penetrate any defence.”
Meanwhile, ex-City defender Steve Howey says there’s a long way to go in the title race with 15 games remaining for the Blues while Arsenal have an extra match to play.
“For me it’s not a title decider because there’s still an awful lot of games to go and we’ve seen both teams drop points,” he said.
“But for the City lads to go there and get the win, was massive. Psychologically for the Arsenal players they’ll be thinking, City weren’t brilliant and they still beat us.
“The difference was just the quality. Arsenal have got some fantastic players and it’s still not over.”