Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has apologised to the club and its manager Roberto Mancini following his red card in City's 1-0 loss to Arsenal yesterday.

The sending-off was the fourth of Balotelli's City career and prompted Mancini to say that the 21-year-old will probably be sold in the summer.

However, Balotelli has now apologised for his actions in the match, which also included a nasty-looking knee-high challenge on Alex Song that could yet face retrospective punishment by the FA.

"I'm really sorry for what happened, for the disappointment I've given to Man City and, particularly, to Roberto Mancini, for whom I have a great respect and who I love," Balotelli told the Ansa.

"As for my future, we will see at the end of the season. I'll talk with the club and we will see."

The controversial striker has been involved in a number of incidents since his £20m move from Inter Milan in 2010, and Mancini has urged him to change in order to make the most of his talent.