Arsenal defender Kolo Toure has described skipper William Gallas as their "maestro".

"We are defending a lot better together than last season. That's the key," declared the Ivory Coast centre-half.

"It is a collective thing. In any team you have a maestro and at the moment William is doing that job. He is the captain and is leading us really well.

"With all the experience he has got, we try to listen to him. He is 30, has played a lot of games and has won a lot of trophies as well - but the main thing is that we work together. We all try to help each other."

Toure added: "In a game when you are a little bit tired or a little bit weak, you have your friend to help you or say to you, 'come on you can make it'. We all say that to each other.

"As a person it gives you focus from one minute in the game. When you have your friend saying, 'come back on your game, give your best, refocus', that gives you strength.

"At the moment we are doing that all together, from the keeper to the striker. That makes a big difference."