• Carling Cup

Mancini demands more from Nasri

ESPN staff
November 30, 2011
Samir Nasri received a hostile reception on Tuesday © Getty Images
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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has demanded more from midfielder Samir Nasri, after being unimpressed with the Frenchman's overall performance against former club Arsenal on Tuesday.

Mancini included former Gunners midfielder Nasri in his starting line-up for the 1-0 Carling Cup quarter-final victory, with the France international being jeered ferociously throughout the game before reportedly being involved in a post-match spat with Emmanuel Frimpong.

The reception from the home support was something which Mancini believes may have affected Nasri's performance.

"He can play better because he is a top player,'' Mancini said. "Tonight is the first night he came back to Arsenal and it is not easy for a player that played here for four or five years.

"I think that he can improve a lot but it was the same situation with those who arrived last year, like Edin (Dzeko) and David (Silva).

"It (the win) is not important for him, it is important for the team. For him it is better than he played tonight so when he comes back to play here in the league he knows what will happen.''

Overall Mancini was happy with the result, the club's first victory at Arsenal in 28 attempts.

"We had a chance seven minutes from the end and we scored. It was a great goal. A great counter-attack,'' he said. "I don't think that Arsenal had a lot of chances, I think we played well.

"It will be better to win here in the Premier League but it is a good feeling because we are into the semi-finals of the competition.

"We have a strong squad - all of the top teams have a good squad and can change eight, nine or 10 players. It is normal for the Carling Cup to change.

"December and January will be crucial months because we play tough games and we play every three days. After January we can talk about whether we can win things or not.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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