Yaya Toure has raised eyebrows with comments about Arsenal following the Gunners’ 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday evening.
The former Manchester City midfielder was pulled into the Sky Sports studio after full-time to provide his thoughts after being spotted at the Emirates Stadium. Despite the fact Patrick Vieira and Daniel Sturridge were Sky’s two pundits for the match, it was Toure who caused a stir during his brief appearance on air.
Arsenal secured three invaluable points thanks to set-piece goals either side of half-time. William Saliba gave Mikel Arteta’s side the lead in the 21st minute, but Chelsea went into the break on level terms after Piero Hincapie turned the ball into his own net - again from a corner.
Corners have been Arsenal’s strongest weapon throughout the season, though, and the Premier League title favourites added to their set-piece goals tally midway though the second half when Jurrien Timber headed home following some poor goalkeeping from Robert Sanchez.
Pedro Neto then made Chelsea’s task significantly harder after picking up two yellow cards in quick succession, becoming the ninth Blues player to be sent off this season.
Despite some late pressure from the visitors, Arsenal held onto their one-goal lead and remain five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand over the north London outfit.
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Toure Causes Stir With Post-Match Comments About Arsenal
Yaya Toure on Sky Sports
Yaya Toure on Sky Sports
(Credit: Sky Sports)
However, Toure admitted he felt “disappointed” by the match, adding: “We want to see passing, attacking, scoring chances… and we see three goals by set-pieces. For a derby… a bit strange.”
Asked if it matters from an Arsenal perspective how they win their first Premier League title for 22 years, Toure added: “Yeah, I think so, to be honest. Winning today was obviously really important for Arsenal, but as a fan… I want to see more.” Watch the clip below:
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal fans haven’t reacted well to Toure’s comments. One fan wrote in response on X (Twitter): "Cry, cry, cry. All the years we played amazing football and we were RIDICULED for not winning. Now we are winning, they want us to go back to the pretty football. Nah, we want trophies."
Another commented: "'I'm a bit disappointed... three goals from set-pieces, a bit strange for a derby!' Stop lying. You are disappointed because Arsenal Football Club won the match. Go and cry to Pep." While a third fan wrote: "Now tell me there’s no agenda. Liverpool 'overcome challenges to score set-pieces but when The Arsenal do it, it’s boring."
Another simply said: "Nah, this is ridiculous,” while a particularly irate supporter called Toure a “fool” for his comments.
"Couldn’t care less,” another fan tweeted. “Needed three points, got three points."
Although Arsenal sit top of the league - and have been backed by Opta’s Supercomputer to end the season as champions - Toure believes City have what it takes to leapfrog the Gunners into pole position between now and the end of the campaign.