I’ve never heard anything like it. When it comes to game-time footballers usually complain that they’re not getting enough of it. Unless they are nursing an injury it’s almost unheard of for a professional footballer to complain that they’re playing too much. But that’s exactly what Manchester City’s Samir Nasri has stated was the case during his time at Arsenal.
The fact that he even feels the need to justify his limited game time at Manchester City speaks volumes. He’s been the subject of plenty of criticism – not just from Arsenal fans and it’s clearly affected him. Why else would he cook up crazy excuses and justifications like this?
Speaking to Canal+ Nasri claimed that he hasn’t been underplayed whilst at Manchester City. In fact he claims: “at Arsenal, I played too much”. Are we expected to believe that Nasri spent most of his time with the Gunners wishing he could put his feet up on the bench?
First off, I’ll confess that there has been some doubt over the veracity of these quotes. Yet, when it comes to Nasri I’m willing to consider him guilty until proven innocent.
When you’re getting paid the salary of a professional footballer, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect to play one or two games a week. Whilst footballers do need to be rested from time to time, to actively speak out about being played too often seems a step too far. Surely if you’re passionate about football you want to get involved as much as possible? If you’re not just there to pick up a paycheck surely the desire should be to start every game?
Besides, Samir Nasri made 110 starts over three years at Arsenal. That’s an average of 36-37 games a year – hardly extortionate.
What’s weird is that Nasri is always so keen to paint himself as an ambitious footballer. He didn’t leave Arsenal for the money, he left because he wanted to join a team that was seriously competing for silverware. This is something he was keen to underline in the same interview: “I came here to win the title, play at the highest level and I’m improving.”
For a start, despite his barnstorming performance against Chelsea on Wednesday night I’m not sure he has improved since leaving Arsenal. If anything he has been more inconsistent. Whilst he’s playing at the highest level (something he was also doing at Arsenal) his chances of winning the title this season are seriously undermined by Manchester United’s current form.
For all this talk of ambition and desiring success, his willingness to sit large chunks of the season out is a little worrying. Surely genuine ambition in football is encapsulated by the desire to be the man leading your team onwards to success? As it stands, serious questions remain over Nasri’s motives.
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Get over it
“despite his barnstorming performance against Chelsea on Wednesday night I’m not sure he has improved since leaving Arsenal. ”
So you admit he’s improving then?
man of the match, settling into his new team, just in time for the title run-in, like a new signing eh?
If Nasri says he was fatigued, and carrying injuries at the Arse, is it so hard for you to think he might be genuinely telling the truth?
this is a nasty, ungracious article.
Smells like sour grapes. He’s gone, leave it be, he is not of importance to Arsenal anymore. Focus on getting 3rd place.
” Yet, when it comes to Nasri I’m willing to consider him guilty until proven innocent.”
Why?
Do you think perhaps with Arsenal’s injury record compared to City’s that there may actually be some logic in what he says? Or the fact that Arsenal bottle it season after season could be down to fatigue in the squad due to a bad rotation policy?
There is no decent argument in this article it just exudes bitterness I’m afraid
City have bottled this season (forget the premiership, Fergie knows what he’s doing). Is it down to fatigue?
That’s just nonsense.
Is that the same seasons that city have no league titles either? Now you’ve spent your millions and millions maybe you’ll win it a few times and start throwing crap like that around
What? I’m merely asking a question in relation to Samir’s quotes. I’m not throwing anything around you angry little man.
Sounds rather like a bitter fan talking, than an unbiased journalist. There’s no doubt that football lovers all over would love to see Nasri play all the time like he did against Chelsea, but the important thing is that he DID play the way he did-absolutely brilliant.
dear oh dear.
Why can’t you just stop crying about it and move on?
Think you might need to re-think this given City’s position and Nasri’s display last night
Hilarious. After all the hype, energy and money wasted on this guy he has one good game and he’s suddenly amazing. Nice to have a luxury like that in a team assembled by monopoly money i suppose but City really have lost a certain grace and humility
This is just a hugely bizarre article and conversation / argument. Nasri has not been amazing since joining City, but neither has he been terrible. There has definitely been some work required to knit together Nasri, Silva et al that is really only just starting to bear fruit.
This perceived ‘loss of grace and humility’ is also a strange argument. Before City were a funny sideshow for everyone in the top four – six pretty easy points for the season. Now we are capable of beating you and winning the league – yes, of course it’s to do with the money, but also a good team ethic (despite what the media would have you believe) and strong management (the Tevez turnaround aside perhaps – pragmatic decisions during a difficult spell).
One good game does not make a great season – but by the same token, one quiet season does not make a terrible player.
OMG he WAS average in ONE game this season, for the rest of them he has done nothing. plus moaning at arsenal for being played too much, he’s a pro footballer he should get on with it some of the stoke players this season have played over 40 games this season so 36/37 on average is nothing. He needs to get over himself and start trying to be consistent. As for trophies City will not win anything this season or next as Utd are winning this seasons title, and city have got knocked out of the europa league by a second rate team from portugal.
One average performance? Give yourself a good slap. He is second in the league, only to Silva, in terms of chances created by a PL player this season.
arsenal fan here, i feel he wanted to leave for his career sad to say. seeing us sell our captain must of been hard. i do not blame him for taking the money but i also believe he would of been a much bigger premiership player this year if he stayed put. i think arsene would of built the team around him. and i think he could of become a great player of our league. sad to see him as a squaud player at city. but city have so many world class players thats all he will be there. good luck to him and i hope you beat utd. next year though we will be after you haha i wish!!! come on you gooners
agree with you. not seen his france form or arsenal form for us. may never do as he will be rotated all the time. i think he would of been a better player if he stayed put but more money and chance to win stuff with us. blue moon!!
obsessed in a real bad way with Nasri aren’t we little one, grow up and wake up and stop the hate against a player that played for you far longer than he should.
You whining Arsenal fans were lucky you had Fabregas and Nasri for as long as you did, Nasri is in a better place for the long haul.
Now now, be nice. Money doesn’t buy you class it seems
I thought Arsenal were also full of profit. Pot – kettle – black it seems. This from a team that is begging their manager and owners to spend ‘big’ all of the time. You cannot have your cake and eat it.
Na$ri could have played out the last year of the contract and move to any club he chooses (Madrid, Barca, United) where he would not be overplayed and stayed on the bench (just the way he likes it).
So why move to City? It’s the only team that’s willing to satisfy his wage demands.
Why are we mad at Na$ri but not Fab? Which of the two is linking up with the best player ever and who has a bench with his name on it?
22 league starts, 4 as sub, from 29 games, bench indeed, fool.
“You whining Arsenal fans were lucky you had Fabregas and Nasri for as long as you did, Nasri is in a better place for the long haul.”
You think this is bad? Imagine how much they’ll be whining when we sign Van Persie in the Summer LOL
Probably the most unfounded, one-sides, thoughtless and arrogant article I’ve read this year. If you hope to make it as a journalist I strongly suggest you learn how to write.
How many world class players do city have really? Aguero(he’s good, but world class umm not too sure), Yaya and who else will be considered world class on that team. Don’t say dejong or kompany cause i dont consider him world class.
Interesting – world class is a tricky concept. I am not sure what ‘world class’ is in this day and age where international caps are given out like confetti. I disagree with you about Kompany and would argue that Silva, Aguero, Yaya and Hart are world class. We also have an abundance of international quality players (different from world class i agree).
Good question …. I’d say Joe Hart is world class, as is Micah Richards on his day and Balotelli on his. I would include Kompany, Aguero, Yaya Toure and definitely Silva. Dejong played in a World Cup final not so long ago, so he is presumably world class by definition. Also obviously Tevez, despite his personality flaws. So only 9 players are genuinely world class …. shouldn’t worry Arsenal too much now, should it?
Money can’t buy you class, but it can buy you success … Just ask Chelski. Citeh will win something eventually if they continue to throw obscene amounts of money at it for long enough. After all, one year Man Utd will inevitably have a season of injuries like Arsenal have had for the last 4/5 years, and then Citeh’s huge mercenary squad will win by default. Who else can have a bench of 20+ million pound players on 100k+ a week?
I always had a soft-spot for city in the pre-mercenary days, as a nice club with passionate fans. However, their behaviour in recent years has them fast becoming the most despised club in England, not to mention the fact that the amount of money they spend, seems directly proportionate to how much akin to their red-manc cousins the supporters seem to become.
Sigh * Chris – I urge you not to think that a minority of people who are vocal on message boards or TalkSport really reflect our fan-base. Most of us are lovely – honestly.
On your first point – we have led this season for around five months of the season. Granted – United have done what they were required to do and now it is a fight during the run-in. Do you honestly think that if we win it, it will be only because United had a load of injuries.
As for despicable – this on a thread posted by an Arsenal fan with the sole intention of insulting a player from another club. I have seen similar things on the occasional City forum and dislike that also.
Arsenal fans should get behind their own team and appreciate them for what they are, rather than take out their own insecurities and inadequacies on a set of fans that have suffered nothing but for the last forty years or so.
I need help here… my mate and I are talking about world class player on the city squad and i said Yaya and Aguero and maybe Tevez. He said Joe Hart is world class. I disagree and said he is a good young keeper but wont say world class. I told him the world class and great are being thrown around without care these days. So do you all think Joe hart is the best Keeper in the PL and is he world class. On performance I rate Vroom form Swansea over Hart this season. What do you think of Hart. No bias and no hatred please.
Simply mate, Hart is World class, he makes the big saves when they count. Vorm has had a great season, but arguably has to deal with more shots on his goal than Hart.
So he is now equal to the buffons and cassilas of this world at this stage of his career if he is considered world class?
Cant believe all the gooners on here arguing with the city fans.Let them have him the little twerp and wish them all good luck.
When they have won as many trophies and have the fan base we do i will listen to wht they have to say.It was only 3 years ago the couldn’t even fill there own stadium that’s how big a club they are.
The people argued that Nasri has been poor and that he is only at City for the money are deluded and either know nothing about football or are merely bitter Arsenal fans. One look at his record this year and recent performances show he’s been more than okay this season and people need to put horrific bias to one side.
Man U win take the title and we finish above City next season and Nasri can say what he likes ,He is gone ,forget it