When Samir Nasri made the jump from Arsenal to Manchester City in 2011 it was met with a twinge of spite from the Gunners. After losing Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona a matter of days before, the north London club were witnessing their club being picked to pieces in front of their eyes, and there was nothing that they could do to prevent it.
Both players won trophies in their debut seasons for their new clubs, and while Nasri went missing at points last season under Roberto Mancini at the Etihad, this season has been a whole different ball game.
Manuel Pellegrini has come into the club and added emphasis on the wide areas, the place where Nasri excels, in my eyes. The France international has played 11 games so far in the league, scoring twice, but it’s his build up play and creativity that has excited me.
He has made 21 key passes and completed 90% of his passes to date, as well as hitting the target with 86% of his seven shots.
He has won 13/18 of his take ons and kept things ticking in the attacking stages for City, and for me he deserves a whole load of appreciation for his efforts.
Gooners probably won’t agree, but hopefully fans of the game will see where I’m coming from and give him a round of applause.
