Manchester City midfielder James Milner has refused to criticise referee Mike Dean for sending off Vincent Kompany in the 2-0 win over Arsenal.

The Belgian centre-back was given his marching orders for a second-half challenge on Jack Wilshere, but Milner believes that it was a difficult decision to for Dean make.

"It's hard to say [if it was a red card] at that pace," the England international told Sky Sports News. "It's a tough job being a ref. It could gone either way."

Milner scored City's opening goal at the Emirates Stadium, with Edin Dzeko grabbing the second goal just before half time.

The 27-year-old said that it was "important" for City to keep pace with leaders Manchester United following their victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford.

"It's a tough place to come," he added. "We have not had much success here in recent year and we needed to put that right.

"It was important to get the three points and that's what we did."

The Citizens trail United by seven points.