Milner: Faltering City need time

James Milner says Manchester City still need time for the team to gel as their English Premier League title challenges continues to fade.

City’s championship hopes all but ended on Sunday with a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

They remain second on the table, but are now eight points adrift of reigning champions Manchester United.

City owner Sheikh Mansour has invested approximately 400 million pounds in an attempt to turn the team into a title-winning side, but after a stuttering end to the season, City’s local rivals appear to be closing in on their 20th top-flight crown.

Former Aston Villa man Milner believes more time is needed for the players to connect if they are to go one better next season.

“We have brought players in and it takes time for them to settle, coming from abroad or from other clubs, and gelling as a team,” he said.

“We have challenged this season and are still fighting until the end.

“As a team, to move forwards, to keep improving, you have to work hard and be together for a number of years.

“Hopefully, we will keep improving as a team and moving forwards as a club.”

He added: “(Manchester) United are obviously a strong side, but we knew that all season.

“For the last 20 years, they have got that knack of winning and know how to close out title races. This is the first year we have been up there as a group.

“But it is not over yet. We will keep fighting to the end.

City’s difficulties on and off the pitch have brought Roberto Mancini’s future as manager into question.

Asked if the Italian has what it takes to mastermind a title success, Milner said: “We will see. Hopefully.

“As players, all we will do is try to win every game that we can, work hard when we step out onto the training field and try to take care of our business.”