• Premier League

Mancini urges Nasri to improve performances

ESPNsoccernet staff
December 17, 2011
Samir Nasri has made 17 appearances for Man City this season © PA Photos
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Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has accused summer signing Samir Nasri of underperforming ahead of Sunday's clash with his former club Arsenal.

Nasri has failed to cement a regular starting spot in Mancini's impressive side since his high-profile £24 million move from the Gunners in August. Mancini was disappointed in the France international after making four successive starts recently, relegating Nasri back to the bench as the Premier League leaders lost at Chelsea on Monday.

"In my opinion Nasri is a champion - a top, top player. I think he can do more but when you change teams you can have a problem.

"At this moment his confidence is maybe not very good because he didn't play against Chelsea but if he plays Sunday he has a chance to show us. I would like Nasri to play better, because he is a really good player."

Mancini similarly demanded improvement from winger Adam Johnson earlier this season despite some impressive performances from the former Middlesbrough man. Mancini insists players of their talent should be delivering to high standards consistently, yet he accepts he cannot always accommodate them.

"When you play with two strikers and Samir and (David) Silva, you have more chances because you attack. But there will be some moments when it is difficult to support all the offensive players all the time. I need to change sometimes but Samir is a good player."

The 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge ended City's impressive unbeaten start to the campaign. They now face a tough task to get back to winning ways as the Gunners visit the Etihad Stadium on a fine run of form.

Arsene Wenger's side have won seven of their last eight matches and their talisman Robin van Persie is the league's top goalscorer with 15.

"Van Persie is an incredible player," Mancini said. "He is like (Sergio) Aguero, (Edin) Dzeko, Mario (Balotelli) - scoring a goal every game. At this moment he is very good, like Arsenal. At this moment they are playing very well."

For all their domestic dominance this season, City could be second come kick-off if Manchester United beat QPR earlier in the day.

"At the moment, us, United and maybe Tottenham are the three teams that can fight for the title. But the season is long. Chelsea, Arsenal and, maybe, Liverpool could also try.

"The season is hard. We have a lot of games to play in the next 40 days," said Mancini.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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