Toure compares City to ´old´ Gunners

Kolo Toure believes Manchester City have a similar mentality to that of the 2003-04 Arsenal team.

City dominated Saturday’s match against Reading at the Etihad, but were unable to break the deadlock until Gareth Barry beat Nicky Shorey at the far post to head home the only goal in the second minute of stoppage time.

And Toure has drawn comparisons with the current City mentality and that of Arsenal’s nine years ago.

“We just knew when we were losing or drawing, we could get the crucial goal,” the Ivory Coast international told the Daily Mirror.

“It was the same at Arsenal, that team who were the Invincibles. We have the same winning mentality here. We never accept drawing or losing a game.”

Following Manchester United’s 1-1 with Swansea City on Sunday, the Blues managed to cut their six-point deficit to their rivals to just four points with the win over Brian McDermott’s struggling side.

Toure believes his team-mates’ calm approach aided their late showing, insisting that frantic attacks will not aid the team.

“It’s really important to be calm because we know we can score at any time,” he said.

“We have so many attacking players who are capable of scoring. This time it was a midfielder who scored.

“We just keep believing we will score. The belief comes from the quality players we have. Last season we know about the crucial goals we got late on and this time, Gareth Barry came and did the same.

“Teams coming here know we can score a goal at any time. We’ve got that in our minds and the teams we play against know that as well.”

And goalscorer Gareth Barry also heralded his side’s confidence to claim the win despite the game entering the final minutes.

He added: “You have to believe. We scored so many goals late on last season and again this year. They can be so important at the end of the season. Hopefully that’s another one.

“It was very important when there’s a little gap that you don’t slip away too much further.

“We need to keep chipping away and hopefully be there at the end of the season. Turning one point into three can be vital.”