'We have been average': Mancini berates City's defensive record ahead of Arsenal test

PUBLISHED: 08:01 EST, 22 September 2012 | UPDATED: 08:05 EST, 22 September 2012

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes his side are still paying the price for a fractured pre-season.

City head into the Premier League encounter still searching for the form that saw them crowned Premier League champions last season.

The reason for their difficulties is not hard to spot. From having the top flight's best defensive record, City suddenly look vulnerable.

Training day: Roberto Mancini and Mario Balotelli prepare for Arsenal

Including the Community Shield, the Blues have conceded 11 goals in six games so far this season, culminating in the three at the Bernabeu on Tuesday that cost them a famous Champions League away win over Real Madrid.

It took City 13 games to reach that number last season. And Mancini is certain he knows why there has been a change.

'For two years we were the best defence in the Premier League,' he said.

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'This year we have been average. Probably the big problem was we didn't get to work properly in pre-season. Since then we lost some players and have had an international break. But if we are going to improve, we need to work.'

Joleon Lescott paid the price in midweek. Good enough to start both England's World Cup qualifiers earlier this month, the 30-year-old was left kicking his heels on the bench in Madrid as Mancini preferred teenage Serbian Matija Nastasic.

It seemed like a significant move. Yet Mancini insists it was not.

'No,' he said. 'We have played six games this season and all the players have played two or three.

'The problem was because we started pre-season in a different moment.

Put through their paces: City players put in the hard yards before the visit of Arsenal

'Joleon came back very late. He is an important player for us but we have 23 good players. Sometimes I can change them.'

Mancini accepts the game will offer a decent guide to his team's present situation. After their own tricky start, Arsenal have hit form.

Whereas City struggled at Anfield, and required a large slice of good fortune to snatch a draw, the Gunners cruised to an easy away win at Liverpool.

Immediately after the international break a Southampton side City were behind against on the opening weekend of the season had six goals slammed past them by Arsene Wenger's men.

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Rather than the departures of one-time City target Robin van Persie and Alex Song signalling the death knell for Wenger and his team, it actually seems to have released them.

Santi Cazorla has already proved to be an outstanding purchase, while Germany frontman Lukas Podolski has confounded gloomy pre-season predictions about his contribution.

Mancini dispatched trusted reserve-team coach Attilio Lombardo to Anfield to run the rule over the Gunners three weeks ago.

And Lombardo's report suggested City need to be very wary.

'Arsenal are very strong on the counter-attack,' said Mancini.

'I watched the game against Liverpool on TV and they played really well. They have two important players, Cazorla and Podolski, who are very good and Johan Djourou maybe. He didn't score but he is a good player.

'We should pay attention because their counter-attack will be very strong.'

Samir Nasri will miss out with a hamstring injury for City, who could recall both Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero.

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I can't wait for the Manchester United v Arsenal match; hopefully Aresnal will show United that there is life after RVP.

- Richard , Sevenoaks, United Kingdom, 23/9/2012 11:12

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sover99 - Nothing wrong with the details, just your reading and comprehension abilities, Macini states that City have played six games and all his players have played two or three games each ( not other teams ) and ye, it is six because, as Champions, City played in the Community Shield, 1 Community Shield, 1 Champions League and 4 league games equals six, does it not!!!

- Betis Steve , Sevilla, 23/9/2012 10:42

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And we dont need to keep telling our supporters how to behave....but I forgot we are the ones with no class!!!

- Martin , Oldham, United Kingdom, 23/9/2012 08:46

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Sover99- details, details. Also, in the article Mancini says 'all' other teams (not some) have played two or three games while City have six. I'm counting five for Arsenal. But, details. - Fishchip , Victoria_BC, 23/9/2012 01:29 -----------------------------------------------------------------------4 league games each and one champions league game each - I'm counting 5 games each - or is that just a 'detail'? Unlike City, Arsenal unbeaten in all 5, there's another detail for you.

- sover99 , Swansea, United Kingdom, 23/9/2012 06:55

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Mancini's correct, City haven't been at the races defensively so far this season so it's remarkable that we're still up near the top of the league. Kompany has been a shadow of the player he was last year, and other players have also not hit their stride yet. We're also trying to assimilate players into the squad who we purchased at the end of the transfer window, therefore when everything settles down I fully expect us to improve our points tally. There is no question that this year will be more difficult because everyone wants to knock the Champs off their perch and they'll all be trying harder. I still expect us to do well this season even if we come unstuck tomorrow.

- R Soles , Morcambe, United Kingdom, 23/9/2012 02:15

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Sover99- details, details. Also, in the article Mancini says 'all' other teams (not some) have played two or three games while City have six. I'm counting five for Arsenal. But, details.

- Fishchip , Victoria_BC, 23/9/2012 01:29

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City have had 2 of the hardest away games all season in stoke and liverpool and throw into the mixer the Real game (which I went to you armchair fan) I'm happy with the league position and the results. - always right , manchistoh, 22/9/2012 16:57 Haven't Arsenal also played away to Liverpool and Stoke?

- sover99 , Swansea, United Kingdom, 23/9/2012 01:21

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City have still only allowed a total of eleven shots on target at their goal- a good sign. It will be interesting to see which side enjoys most possession tomorrow. Whoever does will win.

- ericlo , Manchester, 22/9/2012 23:50

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i listen to the english media rave about joe harte non stop, dont get me wrong hes a really good goalkeeper but no where near the best in the world. seen him make few mistakes and been sent for a pie by pirlo..

- derek , ireland, 22/9/2012 21:56

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Joe Hart has the appearance and mannerisms of someone who lives an alternative lifestyle, not to mention the off-duty dress sense...pink T-shirts,...no girlfriends...great keeper though.

- Take It As Red , Oldham, 22/9/2012 21:18

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