Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini conceded Mario Balotelli may be sold after he was sent off for the third time in the Premier League season in his team’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday.

Mancini said Balotelli would not play again this season following his 89th minute dismissal for a foul on Bacary Sagna in the loss that left City eight points behind leaders Manchester United with six games left and hopes of a first English title in 44 years all but extinguished.

The Italy forward was fortunate to avoid being dismissed for a 20th minute challenge on Alex Song that went apparently unseen by referee Martin Atkinson but could be subject to further review by the Football Association, raising the possibility of Balotelli being suspended for City’s remaining fixtures.

Mancini, who refused to concede the title to United, has repeatedly backed Balotelli, despite the player attracting controversy on and off the pitch.

But after Sunday’s match he insisted his compatriot must change his ways.

“We have six games and he will not play in the next six games,” Mancini said of Balotelli, although a City official said that was because he expected the FA to take severe disciplinary action against the 21-year-old, who is facing a minimum three-game ban.

“But I love him as a guy, I love him as a player, because I know him. He’s not a bad guy. He’s a fantastic player.

“But, at this moment, I’m very sorry because he continues to lose his talent, his quality.

“I hope, for him, that he can understand that he’s in a bad way for his future, and he can change his behaviour in the future.”

Asked if Balotelli would be sold, Mancini added: “Probably – but I don’t know. It depends, because Balotelli is a fantastic player.

“Every time we risk one sent off, like today (Sunday). But he can score also in the last minute.

“It’s clear he’s created big problems, but he’s scored important goals. He’s made mistakes, he’s young, he doesn’t understand it here (England).”

“He needs to change his behaviour if he wants to improve his life. I’ve seen players finish in two or three years with huge talent. He needs to change.”

Mancini’s own position will now be examined, but the manager insisted he should be given more time by City’s wealthy United Arab Emirates based-owner Sheikh Mansour.