Roberto Mancini says City can close the gap on United
City boss says memory of last season's dramatic triumph will convince his players that they can catch bitter rivals Manchester United
Roberto Mancini insists Manchester City are still firmly in the title race after the champions closed the gap on leaders Manchester United to seven points with a crucial 2-0 win at Arsenal.
And they took the points, ending a wait of nearly 38 years for a league win at Arsenal in the process, thanks to first-half goals from James Milner and Edin Dzeko after Gunners defender Laurent Koscielny was sent off for a professional foul on Dzeko, who missed the resulting penalty.
City still have a significant amount of work to do to overhaul United, but boss Mancini believes the memory of last season's dramatic title triumph will convince his players they can catch their bitter rivals.
When City lost at Arsenal in April last year, their title hopes looked in tatters as they trailed United by eight points with just six games remaining.
But they reeled in United and beat QPR with two stoppage-time goals on the final day of the season to clinch the title.
"United are really strong and in this moment they are playing very well, but the season is long. It is important for us to be close to them at the end," Mancini said.