Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat by Arsenal on Monday was “hard to take” but the team were confident they have plenty of games remaining to catch up, right-back Bacary Sagna told reporters.

Yaya Toure pulled a goal back late in the second half but it was in vain as the visitors had their winless streak on the road stretched to five league games.

“It’s hard to take, I think we started the game really well, we had possession of the ball, and on their first shot they scored,” Sagna said.

“It makes it difficult against a quality team. Now we have to keep our heads up because they are creating a gap.”

The loss at the Emirates Stadium has left City, who are third in the table, playing catch up as they are four points behind Arsenal and six adrift table toppers Leicester City after 17 games.

“It’s not a blow personally, I want to keep working hard, I want to fight to the end because we have many games to catch up.

“Of course, we have a gap now but as I said the league is going to be very long,” the former Arsenal player added.

Manchester City host relegation-threatened Sunderland in the league on Saturday, before taking on current leaders Leicester away on December 29.