Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has admitted his admiration for Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.

Mancini was cautious when discussing City's prospects of signing last season's double Footballer of the Year.

"It is difficult to say at this moment." Mancini said. "Van Persie is an Arsenal player, not our player. He is a fantastic player, but we have four strikers and with those strikers we won the title last year.

"Van Persie is a fantastic player, but he is an Arsenal player."