Adam Johnson's delightful flick laid on the only goal for substitute Sergio Aguero in the closing stages at the Emirates Stadium to see City through to the last four and claim a first victory at Arsenal in 28 attempts. "We had a chance seven minutes from the end and we scored. It was a great goal. A great counter-attack," Mancini said. "I don't think that Arsenal had a lot of chances, I think we played well. "It will be better to win here in the Premier League but it is a good feeling because we are into the semi-finals of the competition. "We have a strong squad - all of the top teams have a good squad and can change eight, nine or 10 players. It is normal for the Carling Cup to change. "December and January will be crucial months because we play tough games and we play every three days. After January we can talk about whether we can win things or not." Mancini included former Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri in his starting line-up, with the France international being jeered ferociously throughout the game before reportedly being involved in a post-match spat with Frimpong. The reception from the home support was something which Mancini believes may have affected Nasri's performance. "He can play better because he is a top player," he said. "Tonight is the first night he came back to Arsenal and it is not easy for a player that played here for four or five years. "I think that he can improve a lot but it was the same situation with those who arrived last year, like Edin (Dzeko) and David (Silva). "It (the win) is not important for him, it is important for the team. For him it is better than he played tonight so when he comes back to play here in the league he knows what will happen." Johnson added on Sky Sports 2: "It was a tough game, it's been a long week and a lot of travelling, but we've come away with the win and we're through to the semi-final. "We changed the team around, it was the second-stringers if you like, but we're progressing as a team and as a club and I hope it continues." That progress has seen Johnson play only a fringe role for much of this season, but he said: "For me and the lads who are playing in this competition, it's a chance to try and get in the team week in, week out. "And if we can get into the final and win another trophy, it's important for the club." Striker Edin Dzeko, who was also involved in the goal to cap an impressive display, added: "We played like a team, that's most important. "I am trying to do my best every game and I think today was okay." Aguero was a first half replacement for the injured Aleksandar Kolarov, leading to a change of shape which appeared to benefit Dzeko. And the Bosnia & Herzegovina frontman said: "We played from the beginning with one striker, with Sami (Nasri) behind me. Then Aleks got injured, Aguero got in and we played with two, for every striker it is easier with two."
