'Be patient' - Man City given third target before Liverpool battle Manchester City have had a difficult season where some have questioned if it is the end of an era for an all-conquering side Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City fans celebrate the late winner against Aston Villa Manchester City have been backed to return to their level challenging for the Premier League title next season. And former captain Richard Dunne believes the Blues could even leapfrog Arsenal this season with a strong finish. It has been a season to forget for Pep Guardiola and his players, going downhill in October and taking months to stop the damage. There was a decent path of form in January but it was only really after the March international break when the squad started to feel good about themselves again. ‌ However, three straight victories in the Premier League have pushed them towards their minimum target of a top-five finish that would guarantee them Champions League football next season. On top of that, victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday at Wembley booked their place in a third consecutive FA Cup Final to move them to within 90 minutes of a major trophy. ‌ While it wouldn't be enough for Guardiola to call the season a success, it would help to change the mood at the Etihad after a difficult year. With Arsenal focused on their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid and having Liverpool and Newcastle left to play, Dunne even thinks City could make up the six-point gap on the Gunners in their four remaining fixtures. "There's too many good players at City for them not to be a successful side," talkSPORT BET representative Dunne told the Manchester Evening News. "They've had a dip, they're recovering and finding their form and the manager is finding something that can settle them down and getting the best out of each player. Article continues below "The loss of Rodri has been massive and they've had to change the way they play. That has taken time but they're obviously getting there. "Haaland is out as well which takes another threat away from them, but they're finding a way at the moment and they're dominating games again, which is good. "The second half against Villa they were outstanding and deserved the late goal. See the season out, hopefully have a look at maybe trying to catch Arsenal and maybe win the FA Cup. ‌ "If they can rescue this season with an FA Cup win, it gets rid of some of the doom and gloom and disappointment that's been around the club this season. They can finish on a high and prepare for next season." Some of the negativity around the club has come from questions that have been raised of the squad, both internally and externally. The players and managers have had to battle accusations that they are over the hill while also trying to figure out why their individual and collective levels have dipped. Every footballer goes through spells in their career when things aren't going their way personally or the team isn't clicking, and it can prove a difficult hole to get out of. From his experience, Dunne has seen enough from this City side to be confident they can return to their levels and battle Liverpool for the league title next year. ‌ "It's hard and it was harder for us because we didn't have the calibre of player who can just turn it on," he said. "When you're not playing well and you're doing the same things that you were doing when you were playing well, you just can't understand it. "Sometimes, you think you have to do something different but it's just being patient and having that time to understand that what they've done for the last four years has won them the league so let's go back to that. The good players will come back again, the form will be rediscovered. "You have to be patient, they haven't suddenly gone from what they were to a team that isn't capable of managing the big games. It will come back, it is just a moment in their time at City and as disappointing as it's been I don't think there's any worry that it's a long term thing and this is the end of an era. Article continues below "I still think City have more than enough in their squad and the manager has more than enough in his armoury to make them good again that they will rediscover their form. If you can have a bad season and win an FA Cup, it's alright."