Arsene Wenger addressed the media following the sale of French midfielder Samir Nasri with the following statement:
“Wilshere’s injury is not ideal for us on the day we sell Nasri. Now is also not the ideal moment to sell Nasri but it is a moment. Sometimes the fact that you lose big players gets the team on the edge a little bit and forces each of them to give a bit more, fight a bit more together and that is, of course, what we will want to show against Udinese. You are always concerned of the consequences that a transfer like Nasri’s can have but it’s not an excuse. If you are strong mentally, you can increase the solidarity. If we score, it’s not enough. We also have to be solid defensively. The Champions League is just our life. We want to be at the top. We do not want to be anywhere else.”
Samir Nasri set for £22 million move to Manchester City
The French midfielder is finally making his move to the Etihad Stadium after weeks of unsuccessful conract negotiations with the Gunners. The move comes just prior to Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League match versus Udinese on 24 August. The Gunners are entering the game with a 1-0 lead on aggregate, but the tie is far from over. Udinese were extremely unlucky not to get a point at the Emirates and will be keen on knocking Wenger and Arsenal out of the Champions League.
According to The Telegraph, Roberto Mancini expressed that if Nasri was to play in today’s fixture versus Udinese a possible deal could be axed.
“If Nasri plays against Udinese, it could be possible [to pursue other targets], yes. I think we can close [the deal] in the next two days, but if he plays in the Champions League, it will be a big a problem. A big problem.
“It’s a big problem because we have followed Nasri for 40 days and I have hoped (it would be completed) in two days or in three days. I don’t know why we didn’t close it, but for Nasri, it will be important to play all the Champions League with us.”
Where will Nasri fit in at Manchester City?
Surely Samir Nasri will enter Manchester City’s starting XI as soon as he arrives at Etihad Stadium. City’s best formation with Nasri would no doubt be a 4-2-3-1. The back four would include Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany, Kolo Toure (after he returns from drug-ban), and Gael Clichy. City’s two holding midfielders would be Dutch international Nigel de Jong and Ivorian Yaya Toure. David Silva, Samir Nasri, and Sergio Aguero would be featured in the three attacking midfield positions, while Edin Dzeko would be the lone striker.
With Nasri, Manchester City arguably have the best starting XI in the Premier League, but that may not translate into a Premier League title. Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United will surely have something to say about that.
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