Managing players the critical difference between Fergie and Mancini

As Manchester City's title bid choked at Arsenal, it was perhaps inevitable that the headlines should be made by one of their players - rather than one from the victorious Gunners.

Mario Balotelli's disgraceful lack of self-discipline ended in a last-minute red card and left City boss Roberto Mancini pondering whether to play him ever again and to ditch him in the summer.

Teammates Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany were seething as they left the pitch after defeat. Oh to be a fly on the wall in the City dressing room afterwards.

But the truth is Balotelli shouldn't have been on the park anyway: the boss should've subbed him at halftime. And therein lies the key difference between Mancini and his managerial title rival, Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Fergie realises the overriding truth that players lose managers their jobs. Imagine Balotelli at United? Not once the Govanator had taken advice from one of the Italian's former bosses at Inter, Jose Mourinho. The Special One sold him to City.

Mancini has shown exceptional patience with both Balotelli and Carlos Tevez and his loyalty's not been rewarded. Fergie's demonstrated time and again that if he's crossed, it's curtains at Old Trafford.

Because the noxious cloud of Balotelli's show enveloped that other miscreant star of the Mancini regime who was also playing. Tevez was so key to City last season and but for six months of tabloid tantrums and AWOL's may well have pushed City over the title line at the expense of United this campaign.

City have splashed out millions on their squad but there's no substitute for experience, continuity and management. Brian Marwood, the conduit between players and the board, revealed the City strategy: win a first title, then invest in youth from there.

It's foundering and largely because Mancini hasn't been ruthless enough with the ill-disciplined elements of his squad.

Arsenal must keep Van Persie at the Emirates

Hair today, gone with Adebayor tomorrow?

Before Arsene Wenger takes a holiday this summer, he must complete one piece of business as important as finishing in the top four: to ensure Arsenal's best player, Robin Van Persie remains a Gunner next season.

I'm puzzled by the term "marquee signing". It's origins are manyfold, but in Arsenal's case, I picture Van Persie as the metaphoric tentpole keeping their marquee upright.

Mancini tempts Gunners stars north

Because over the past three years in particular, it seems every time Manchester City come knocking, they sell them a decent player. Adebayor, Nasri, Toure and Clichy's moves have all conspired to earn Arsenal an unwanted reputation as the world's biggest selling-club.

Add to that the (inevitable) departure of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and it's no wonder the Gunners have had Tottenham snapping at their heels for that final Champions League place, which is why it's essential Arsene Wenger puts a stop to that this summer.

When did it stop being fun, Arsene?

Roberto Mancini covets Van Persie. Who wouldn't? After years of stop-start injury problems, the Dutchman has stayed fit and scored a hatful of goals to give the Gunners added impetus toward the business-end of the season.

Arsenal's ex-vice chairman David Dein uttered a simple truth: one of his principles was a successful football club started with a successful starting eleven. As Wenger tries to rebuild team dynamic after a couple of years of trading players, it's the world-class quality of Van Persie who'll help rekindle that.

Because it's not just his immense on-field contribution that counts, it's off-field, on-line and through every media outlet that perception counts too. Perception that Arsenal are still a club who can feast from football's top table, that they can still compete for League and European honours.

So whatever the Dutchman wants to fend off the attentions of City, Barcelona, Real Madrid (and Machlakachla-schmachla), the Gunners should match it. Van Persie wearing the red and white of Arsenal next season is non-negotiable.

That Sergio Aguero moment

Sergio Aguero is the talk of the Premier League after a stunning cameo appearance in the second half of Manchester City's opening game of the season.

Aguero announced his arrival with a brace and a brilliant piece of athleticism which contributed to a goal for David Silva, as City broke newly promoted Swansea City's resistance at Eastlands.

Aguero's athleticism earns a goal for teammate Silva

Dubbed by new boss, Roberto Mancini as a 'carbon copy' of Romario, Aguero comes with that low centre of gravity seemingly fitted as standard in posher South American models. £35m well spent and any doubters as to City's title credentials are silenced now. In fact, Aguero could propel them above the dismissive mantle of "noisy neighbours", shrugged by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Before the final whistle, I was even tweet-speculating the Argentine could win both Player Of The Year gongs.

Because now Mancini has an embarrassment of striking riches at his right hand: Dzeko, Balotelli and if he can sort his life out, Tevez. Watching his countrymen out there can't possibly have left Tevez unaffected.

Aguero's second goal was so technically special, Sky's brand new pundit Gary Neville claimed he didn't know how he'd done it! A fierce looping shot with downward force that thumped into the bottom corner like a shot grouse.

But it was chasing a lost cause after lobbing the Swansea keeper that marks him out. Most would've let the ball loop out for a goal kick convinced they'd overhit it, content to get a ripple of applause from the crowd in running back to halfway.

Not Aguero, who kicked it over his head and back into contention for Silva to expertly half volley into the gaping goal.

Damian Comolli is charged with Liverpool's transfer policy. Anfield's Director of Football usually buys English. They're expensive. £35m was splashed on Andy Carroll. They're not even in the same ballpark.

Aguero is set to join the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Henry and Zola as one of the all-time great Premier League imports, and he's only played 40 minutes. Hyping him up too much? Don't think so.