Mancini has high praise for Zabaleta
David Silva bagged the second-half match-winner that ensured City only need a point from tomorrow’s encounter with Stoke at the Etihad Stadium to claim top spot at Christmas for the first time since 1929.
On Sunday, with Gael Clichy missing, Zabaleta switched flanks and succeeded in pinning down Theo Walcott, which Mancini felt was key to City’s eventual triumph.
“Pablo is a very clever player,” said Mancini.
“He knew before the game it would be difficult. I told him if he played very well against Theo Walcott we would probably win the game.”
The 26-year-old shrugged off the plaudits, insisting it was all part of the service.
“We had some problems with Gael Clichy suspended and Aleksandar Kolarov injured,” said Zabaleta.
“But I have played many games at left-back. It was no problem. I just want to do my best for the team.”
Now City turn attentions to Stoke. The Potteries outfit were the first team Mancini faced as City manager two years ago.
With Stoke bouncing back from a rocky patch to record four successive league wins, Mancini is taking nothing for granted.
“It will be hard against Stoke,” he said. “They are a strong team, who defend very well. It will not be an easy game.”
Meanwhile Wojciech Szczesny is convinced Arsenal will finish above Tottenham this season despite losing further ground on their bitter north London rivals with defeat at City at the weekend.
The reverse meant Arsenal now trail Spurs by five points, having played one more game.
Harry Redknapp’s men have lost just once in their last 13 Premier League matches, but Szczesny is convinced Spurs will drop points soon and is determined to ensure Arsenal will be finish above them come the end of the current campaign.
“Getting above Tottenham is the main target,” Szczesny said. “We don’t want to finish below them, no matter what. That’s just my personal ambition because I am one of the fans and so it means a lot to me to finish above them. I am confident we will do so.
“They will slip up eventually. They have been in good form but I am confident we are a better side and will finish above them. Time will tell if they can handle the pressure but they look good at the moment.”
Arsene Wenger now only has four fit recognised defenders to choose from for tomorrow’s game against Aston Villa. Johan Djourou joined Kieran Gibbs, Bacary Sagna, Carl Jenkinson and Andre Santos on the injury list after coming off with a groin injury that will rule him out for three weeks.
Ignasi Miquel, 19, could be drafted in to one of the full-back positions, with either Thomas Vermaelen or Laurent Koscielny on the other side.
Vermaelen, who came close to scoring two stunning goals on Sunday, has called on his team-mates to bounce back with a win at Villa Park.
“Every game is important now,” the Belgian said. “On Wednesday we play Villa away. It will not be an easy game but it’s good that we have a game so early so we can make up for the loss against City.”
* Arsenal are monitoring proposed strikes by London’s tube drivers amid it could force the postponement of their St Stephen’s Day clash with Wolves. The tube strikes would cause chaos for fans travelling to the Emirates — and would be a massive inconvenience for Irish fans travelling to the game from London’s airports.
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