Nasri believes Gunners can win title

Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri is confident his side is well-placed to win their first English Premier League title since 2003-04.

Despite trailing Manchester United – who have a game in hand – by two points heading into Christmas, Nasri insisted his club are in a strong position as they attempt to secure their 14th top-flight success.

“I think the title is definitely within our reach,” Nasri told The Sun.

“For a start, United were supposed to play against Chelsea (on Sunday at Stamford Bridge) and I couldn’t see them winning that.”

“I also think their game in hand isn’t a foregone conclusion because winning at Blackpool is not easy.”

“I really think we have quality and we’ve got the maturity now that we were lacking before. We’ll see how we cope with all the matches over Christmas and we will get a clearer idea after that – but I’m full of confidence.”

Nasri has enjoyed an excellent season so far, with 12 goals from his 22 first-team appearances, and on Wednesday the 23-year-old was named French footballer of the year.

Nasri credits his form to being left out of Raymond Domenech’s ill-fated French World Cup squad, a decision he said led him to take stock of his football in the off-season.

“I’m just trying to give back all my coach and my team-mates have given me,” he said.

“I had a proper pre-season so I can keep going and I’ve been spared injuries, so that means I can keep getting better every game.”

“Especially after everything that went on, when you see the end result, it’s a mal pour un bien – evil for good.”

“It meant I could take a look at myself and I got it in my head that I had to come back even stronger and show I was good enough for the French team.”