Nasri out to silence doubters

Samir Nasri is determined to prove his move to Manchester City was not a mistake.

Last Updated: 21/02/12 at 15:55 Post Comment   

Nasri: Keen to prove critics wrong

Nasri: Keen to prove critics wrong

The France midfielder initially struggled to make an impression at the Etihad Stadium following his £24million move from Arsenal last August.

The 24-year-old is still to replicate the consistently high standards he produced for the Gunners last season but he feels he is now settling into a rhythm.

Nasri has still completed the full 90 minutes just nine times for City but said: "It is always tough when you change and go to another team.

"You have to be involved 100% and at some points I wasn't.

"Now I am starting to be settled and you will see a better Samir every week.

"You have to work when you don't feel well and you haven't produced what everyone expects from you.

"But I was always confident about my quality and you will see that.

"At Arsenal I was playing a little bit higher with three strikers and three midfielders. Here we play 4-4-2 so you have to work more defensively.

"But that doesn't matter. I have understood that and I want to show everyone that it wasn't a mistake."

Nasri's move angered Arsenal fans but he feels he made the best move for his career as City chase the Barclays Premier League title while the Gunners labour in pursuit of a top-four place.

He insists, however, he takes no delight in Arsenal's present situation.

Manager Arsene Wenger is coming under increasing pressure at the Emirates Stadium after a 4-0 thrashing by AC Milan in the Champions League last week and an FA Cup loss to Sunderland.

Nasri said: "I don't want Arsenal to fall down.

"I wanted for them to win the FA Cup or something because I have a lot of respect for the players there and the manager.

"But I know, since I started, I made the right choice.

"We are top of the league, we are still in the Europa League.

"What Arsenal does doesn't matter. It is my choice."

Nasri expects Arsenal to recover from their problems but has suggested sometimes they might need to adjust their playing style to gain all-important results.

He said: "Sometimes it is good to win ugly. You don't always have to play good football to win.

"Arsenal is the proof of it. They play good football but, at the end, in seven years they didn't win (any trophies).

"It is difficult for them but the manager has a good philosophy and I know he will find a solution soon."

Nasri has previously voiced his hurt at claims his move was motivated by money and he says his early-season form was not hindered by the fee City paid for him.

He said: "I never asked Manchester City to pay £24million.

"It was a lot of money but every transfer now has a lot of money.

"What you want to do is give something to the team and the people who brought you here and have trusted you since the start of the season. The money is not my problem."

Nasri will hope to retain his place as City host Porto in the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie tomorrow.

Nasri started as City underlined their intention to take the competition seriously by coming from behind to win 2-1 at the Estadio do Dragao last week.

He said: "Porto are really dangerous, especially in counter-attacks.

"We have an advantage but that doesn't mean we have qualified. We have to be careful.

"They have good players, we saw that in the first half of the first game.

"We wanted to win everything at the start of the season.

"Now without the FA Cup or the Carling Cup any more we have the Premier League and the Europa League.

"We will be focused on the two competitions and try to win it."

Mancini, whose priority is protecting the two-point lead his side have at the top of the Premier League, is equally determined to make sure City progress to the last 16.

Mancini said: "It is better to start from 2-1 but we know Porto is a top team and we should play like it is back 0-0.

"I feel it is a difficult game. It will depend on us and we will need to play very well."

Nasri, great player makes a team tick. LAst 6 weeks has seen the best of him. The return of Ya Ya will see the return of the Barry, Ya Ya, Silva, Aguero, Nasri & Balotelli axis of attack. The goals will return, Blackburn & Bolton beware.
- gaudino motors

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

T

here has only been 3 players who made me hold my breath in dread when they picked the ball up anywhere near our penalty area...in their prime Scholes and Giggs... and always Drogba. Awesome player who on his day was the best striker in the world in my opinion.

gunner14
Farewell Big, Brutal, Big-Balled B**tard

I

remember him scoring a 25-yarder, either the season just gone or the one before, against Bolton at the Reebok. I've never seen a ball hit that hard before in my entire life. You could almost feel the shockwave from his foot contacting it 40 yards away in the stands. Didier Droga. You might not have loved him, but you just had to be in awe of him.

jon_bwfc
Farewell Big, Brutal, Big-Balled B**tard

E

den Hazard, def. - 1) that girl in a club who makes eyes at you all night, who allows you to buy her a drink and walk her home arm in arm, who then gives you a suggestive kiss on her doorstep before declaring how tired she is and how she has to be up early the next day. 2) A cock tease.

cramp
Hazard 'terms agreed' with trio

Footer 365

Focus turns to next term - Kidd

Manchester City assistant Brian Kidd says the time for celebrating a first title in 44 years is over and the focus must switch to next season.

Kalou and Bosingwa face exits

Chelsea are to announce that neither Salomon Kalou nor Jose Bosingwa will be retained by the club ahead of the new season, it is understood.

Blues hint at RDM appointment

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay says European glory has boosted Roberto Di Matteo's job claims "enormously" as the club seek a new manager.

Mail Box

Kean - Lost It, & Other Hair Related Choices

The heat may well have got to one chap, who has come up with a few players/managers whose hair reflects their playing style. That, and the man who tamed Drogba...

Paying Tribute To Didier 'Beast' Drogba

He will be missed by Chelsea but also by other fans who had no choice but to stand back and admire. Plus, mails on Liverpool, Tottenham and the stout Irish defence...

© 2012 365 Media Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved