With the Blues losing to Chelsea last Monday, the City boss felt it was vital to return to winning ways - as well as denting a rival title challenger’s hopes in the process.
“It was important we won today and I am pleased for the players,” said Mancini. “I am also pleased that we have beaten a very good side, too. Arsenal are a strong team so this was a very good day for us.
“We are at the top of the table as we head towards Christmas, but the most important thing is that we are there at the end of the season.
We hope we can stay at the top for a long time - not only for Christmas - but our thoughts now turn to Stoke City because that will also be a very hard game for us
...Roberto Mancini
“Like Arsenal, Stoke will come here having won four Premier League games in a row, so it will be yet another hard game.”
Mancini also admitted he believes it will now be hard for Arsenal to get back in the title race after this defeat.
“I think it will be difficult for Arsenal now,” he said. “They are 12 points behind us and ten behind United, but I’m certain they will continue to battle until the end of the season.”
