With Pablo Zabaleta and Aleks Kolarov impressive in the wing-back role and causing numerous problems for the Gunners, the Blues’ boss said he will not rule out further experimentation.
“I think this game can help me try different formations from time to time,” he said. “It is good to have other options and things went well this evening so it maybe something we use again at certain times.
“We played a good game – it was an important win and a great performance against a very good side so I am happy with the way things went.”
Mancini also revealed Vincent Kompany has a slight knock, but is hopeful he won’t be side-lined for any length of time.
“Vincent has a slight problem with his calf, but I don’t think it is anything to worry about – we took him off as a precaution,” he said.
When grilled on his targets for the upcoming season, the City boss – responding to a question of whether the Blues were following a similar path to success as Chelsea, said: “Chelsea took maybe ten years to win the Champions League because it is not easy to win this competition.
“We would like to win it this season, of course, but our main target is the Premier League and a domestic trophy.”
One reporter suggested Samir Nasri is facing a three-match ban for France after a recent altercation with French journalists. Mancini said: ”If this is this case, I’m very sorry for Samir because he enjoys playing for his national team but if this is the French Football Federation’s decision, I’m sure he will serve his ban and return to playing for his country afterwards.”
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted he was disappointed with the result and became irritated when continually questioned about the future of absent skipper Robin van Persie.
“We have many strikers back home that we will be able to use throughout the season but our main aim now is to prepare for the start of the campaign.
“The Chinese Arsenal fans were outstanding all evening – unfortunately, they were better than our players on the night!”
