2011 Review: Arsenal’s 10 defining moments

Optimism abounds as Arsenal’s year draws to a close but there have been numerous peaks and troughs along the way. As 2012 edges closer we look back at some of the defining moments from an extraordinary 12 months for the Club.

DECEMBER 10 - THE CLUB'S 125 CELEBRATIONS
Arsenal celebrated their 125th anniversary by paying tribute to heroes past and present on an emotional day at the Emirates. After unveiling statues of Herbert Chapman, Thierry Henry and Tony Adams, the Club welcomed Everton for the commemorative game. A number of Arsenal legends were presented to a packed stadium, referee Howard Webb used a sixpence to decide the kick-off and the great grandchildren of Club founder David Danskin took out the match ball. To cap off a memorable occasion for everyone associated with the Gunners, Van Persie fired in a sublime volley to claim three points for Wenger’s side.

OCTOBER 29 - CHELSEA 3-5 ARSENAL
The Gunners’ revival had started to build momentum after four successive victories, but the acid test of how far they had progressed would come at Stamford Bridge. Despite trailing 2-1 at half time, a reinvigorated Arsenal stormed out after the break to take the lead through goals from Santos and Walcott, before Mata fired in a late equaliser. However, a Terry slip gifted Van Persie the chance to put Wenger’s men ahead again, and the Dutch striker completed a wonderful hat trick with a last-gasp strike. Arsenal truly were back.

SEPTEMBER 25 - ARSENAL LADIES COMPLETE THE TREBLE
Laura Harvey’s side secured an historic Treble with a 4-1 victory against Birmingham City in the Continental Cup after goals from Ellen White, Jayne Ludlow and a Rachel Yankey brace. In an incredible season, Arsenal beat Birmingham to the Super League title by three points and won the FA Women’s Cup too. “These are really exciting times - we have a batch of young players who have stepped up this season and they will get better and better,” Harvey said.

AUGUST 30/31 - WENGER'S LATE SUMMER SIGNINGS
With the clock ticking down to the transfer deadline, Wenger made a number of late moves. The signings of Santos, Mertesacker, Arteta, Benayoun and Park - all full internationals – immediately injected greater depth and experience to Arsenal’s squad and led to a major upturn in form as the team climbed the table.

AUGUST 28 - MANCHESTER UNITED 8-2 ARSENAL
An injury-hit, depleted Arsenal side suffered the worst defeat of Wenger’s reign at Old Trafford. Despite the painful nature of the result, the Gunners’ travelling fans were widely praised for their vociferous support. Afterwards, Wenger admitted his squad was short in key areas, prompting him to re-enter the transfer market.

AUGUST 15-24 - CESC FABREGAS AND SAMIR NASRI LEAVE
After long-term speculation over his future, Fabregas returned Barcelona just two days after the start of the new season. The Spaniard made 303 appearances for the Club after joining in 2003, scoring 57 goals, and is widely regarded as having developed into one of the world’s best midfielders under Wenger’s tutelage. A week later Nasri also left the Emirates, moving to Manchester City in a big-money deal.

APRIL ONWARDS - STAN KROENKE INCREASES MAJORITY SHAREHOLDING
An Arsenal director since September 2008, Mr Kroenke made an offer for the Club in April. He had increased his majority shareholding to 66.64 per cent by June and it now stands at 66.82 per cent. Mr Kroenke purchased the shares of Danny Fiszman, shortly before the long-serving director’s tragic death at the age of 66 in April.

FEBRUARY 27 - ARSENAL 1-2 BIRMINGHAM
Wenger’s side were heavy favourites to win their first trophy in six years against struggling Birmingham in the Carling Cup Final, but they went behind to Zigic’s 28th-minute strike. Van Persie restored parity on the stroke of half-time with a sublime volley, but much as Arsenal pressed in the second half, they could not break down the stubborn Blues. With the game seemingly destined for extra-time, a defensive mix-up gifted Martins a heartbreaking late winner. It proved to be a turning point, as the Gunners won just three times in their last 14 games.

FEBRUARY 16 - ARSENAL 2-1 BARCELONA
Coming just 11 days after the result at St James’ Park, few gave Arsenal much hope against the imperious Catalans in their Champions League last-16 first leg. David Villa fired Barcelona in front after 26 minutes but the resilient Gunners refused to buckle. With Jack Wilshere in dominant form, Wenger’s side stormed back to claim a famous victory with goals from Van Persie and Arshavin. The Gunners went on to lose the second leg at the Nou Camp but proved they could beat the cream of Europe.

FEBRUARY 5 - NEWCASTLE 4-4 ARSENAL
Arsène Wenger’s side raced into a four-goal lead after just 26 minutes following strikes from Walcott, Djourou and a Van Persie brace. But Djourou’s injury and Diaby’s sending off five minutes after the break changed the course of the game and Newcastle took advantage to complete a late comeback in a result that showed both the best and the worst of the Gunners.

Source: Rob Kelly, Arsenal.com on 30 Dec 11

Manchester City fielded Samir Nasri and turned the taunts on Arsenal

Samir Nasri's appearance at the Emirates prompted taunts about money but spending power told on the pitch

Not everyone finds it easy to sympathise with Roberto Mancini when he laments the madness of juggling his jewels, but the Manchester City manager had a point when he complained about having to pick teams to play in the Premier League at Anfield and the Carling Cup at the Emirates within a mere 52 hours. There was more than a hint of mischief in the air, therefore, when it transpired that the only player capable of starting both fixtures was a certain Samir Nasri. What an astonishing coincidence.

Although Arsène Wenger had requested "respect", Nasri, pictured, was the focus of the customary jeers and a none-too complimentary reworking of the song with which he was once hailed. One of the players, Emmanuel Frimpong, felt compelled to have an exchange of views – described by an Arsenal spokesman as "handbags" – in the tunnel.

"You only went for the money," suggested the home fans. Did he really? That is the uncomfortable question that lurks below the cheap shots. Few neutrals would argue which squad is better placed for the prizes this season, and Nasri got to travel home with the winning team. But there is also an awkward question for Nasri to ask himself. A mainstay for his old club, he has started only four league games in almost three months for his new club.

He performed as if unaffected by being cast as pantomime villain. If his selection was a test of character it was one he passed, even if his game was not at its most creative. Mancini was not massively enthusiastic. Asked whether the commotion had affected his man, the Italian replied: "Maybe. I think that Nasri can play better."

Arsenal were intent on showing that the club Nasri left behind have a future. There were four very bright sparks who looked not in the least intimidated.

Frimpong chopped and chased in midfield; his partner, Francis Coquelin, was a ball-winner who prompted with intelligence; Ignasi Miquel filled in with a composed display at left-back; and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was full of verve and imagination. The 18‑year‑old winger has seen his Carling Cup experiences increase in difficulty (from Shrewsbury via Bolton to Manchester City) and here he gave an experienced defence a real headache. Arsenal will be hoping the City bench was not paying too much attention.

Mancini's men found it hard to make inroads against a team who looked noticably fresher. Assisting the kids were mature displays from, notably, Yossi Benayoun, Laurent Koscielny and, most notably, Sébastien Squillaci.

It is unlikely that Arsenal can keep up with the City juggernaut, for the precise reason that made Wenger acknowledge that it is no good building a team of youngsters and hoping they will not be plundered by the wealthy.

The message in Mancunian accents around the Highbury hostelries 90 minutes before kick-off was loud and clear: "Robin van Persie, he's gonna be blue." Those words encapsulated what seems inescapable about the different roads that these clubs are taking.

At the going rate for City's No19, the entire Arsenal first XI cost the same as Nasri plus a couple of extra toes (approximately £27m, all in). Fortunately football has a rich history of being illogical. For 83 minutes City were thoroughly tested and Costel Pantilimon was by the far the busier goalkeeper.

Logic prevailed, though, when Edin Dzeko and Adam Johnson combined on the break to tee up Sergio Agüero, whose finish was unerring. And the name City's fans chose to herald after the goal went in? Samir Nasri, of course.

Source: Amy Lawrence, The Guardian on 29 Nov 11

Nasri completes move to Manchester City

Arsenal can confirm that the transfer of Samir Nasri to Manchester City has been completed for an undisclosed fee.

Nasri, 24, who joined Arsenal from Olympique Marseille in July 2008, made a total of 125 appearances for the Gunners and scored 27 goals.

Last season, Nasri scored 15 goals from his 46 appearances, including ten goals in the Premier League from his 30 appearances.

Arsène Wenger said: "Although we are all disappointed Samir has decided to leave us, we must respect his decision and also thank him for his fantastic contribution to Arsenal Football Club. Samir's on-pitch commitment to Arsenal was never in question and he always gave absolutely everything to the team."

"We will miss Samir, but if a player coming into the last year of their contract is determined to leave the Club and we also receive a competitive offer for them, this clearly influences our decision-making process."

Everyone at Arsenal Football Club would like to thank Samir for his contribution during his time at the Club.

Source: Arsenal.com on 24 Aug 11

Arsenal can no longer take it for granted that Arsène Wenger knows

The turmoil surrounding Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri means the manager is potentially entering his most gruelling period

Arsène Wenger has lost more than a player. The sense of control that he once radiated effortlessly has been replaced by an embattled air. Cesc Fábregas's move to Barcelona was more a matter of destiny than likelihood, but Arsenal have had no say in even the timing. With many transfers already completed in this window, Wenger cannot have wished to go looking for a true replacement in mid-August. In practice, he may be obstinate and calm enough to wait, but supporters tend not to take it for granted any more that he is equipped with a higher knowledge.

The Fábregas issue cannot have come as a complete shock yet the club appears stricken. Talk of the midfielder moving to Barcelona has been so pervasive and tedious that it resembled muzak, but now there is just a hushed anxiety for Arsenal. The Fábregas issue will rankle with any fan at the Emirates. In view of the guaranteed sum of around £26m negotiated, this is no fire sale but the club would have anticipated more even in quite recent times.

Wenger has not been able to control the Samir Nasri matter either. The midfielder, against all common sense, has been allowed to enter the final season of his contract when the great majority of clubs would have made it a priority to try to force matters to a conclusion. A stoical manager is prepared to let him leave for nothing next summer, but the kind of bid that Manchester City can make is hard to reject, especially if the player himself wants to go immediately.

The very recent past had better not be a guide to the immediate future if Arsenal want to fend off anger in the stands. It is just as well that Udinese, with the Serie A programme yet to begin, may not be at their sharpest for the first leg of the Champions League play-off at the Emirates on Tuesday. Even if all goes smoothly in the tie, the disquiet will continue. Arsenal fans do not really conform to the stereotype of the aesthete who is honoured just to be in the presence of Wenger's team.

Anyone who lives in that part of London will often hear the frustration and rancour of supporters. This club needs their loyalty more than most. While the property development around the Emirates fundamentally makes sense, the state of the economy at large is a hindrance. The main grievance among fans does not lie in any resentment of the fact that the most glamorous footballers are at other clubs. Arsenal, after all, still have plenty of style and only the champions Manchester United outscored them in the Premier League last season, despite the fact that there were few goals from Fábregas.

The flourishes to their style have been a consolation and optimists could persuade themselves that everything would eventually fall into place. It was particularly disturbing, though, to see Arsenal doggedly work their way out of contention for the title in the closing phase of last season. No doubt it would have been better if Thomas Vermaelen had been present throughout the campaign, but the side had been coping without him until the critical stretch of the programme.

Arsenal continue to be a most unusual club. The rightful appreciation of Wenger's style and philosophy has not vanished entirely, but the perception of the side's prospects can only have been damaged in the goalless draw at St James' Park on Saturday. The manager might almost have been grateful for the red card shown to the £10.5m debutant Gervinho since it diverted attention from the poverty of the match itself. When Arsenal were held there last season, the verve of the display was at least indisputable in the creation of a 4-0 lead.

This could well turn into the most gruelling period of Wenger's tenure in London. Circumstances were already challenging enough, but the rise of Manchester City and Liverpool's determination to revitalise themselves could well mean that taking the anticipated place in the top four will be harder to accomplish, since the presence of United and Chelsea there is virtually certain.

In all of the talk about Wenger, his continued employment at the club is never in doubt. That is only right, considering the transformation apparent at Arsenal despite the lack of silverware, and the manager's standing has been so elevated that he could speak about leaving at a time of his choosing. He suggested this year that he would step down in 2014, with Dragan Stojkovic, who played for him at Nagoya Grampus and now manages the Japanese club, taking over at the Emirates.

That sort of cosiness is gone. For the time being, Wenger's sophistication cannot put him above the fray. Arsenal will need to scramble and struggle in the effort to retain their status.

Source; Kevin McCarra, The Guardian on 15 Aug 11

Arsène Wenger ready to make do without Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri

The Arsenal manager has the right to do things his way for at least one more season but flaws are visible

The cemeteries, Arsène Wenger pointed out on Friday, are full of irreplaceable people. "We are all replaceable, you know," he said. "Sometimes when you lose a big player, other people stand up and take more responsibilities – and the game is a bit different, but not less efficient. But you do not want to lose big players, if that is the question."

Indeed it was. On the eve of his 16th season at Arsenal, Wenger is seemingly on the verge of needing to replace two of his most influential figures, Cesc Fábregas, the club captain, and Samir Nasri, whose desire to leave calls into question the ability of the 61-year-old manager to repeat the successes of his first decade.

According to the reports from Spain, Fábregas will travel to Madrid on Sunday with the Barcelona squad, his transfer to be formally announced after the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup. Nasri is widely expected to join Manchester City, perhaps by Monday, rejecting his existing club's offer of a pay rise to £90,000 a week in favour of almost double that salary at Eastlands. Neither player is in the Arsenal squad for Saturday's match against Newcastle United at St James' Park. According to Wenger, Fábregas is not match-fit while Nasri is still recovering from feeling sick while playing for France on Wednesday.

Yet the manager would not give an inch on Friday in his contention that the two players remain part of his squad. "I believe the best for us, one day before the championship starts, is not to focus on possible transfers. I cannot say it will not happen. I do not say it will happen. Since I have been at Arsenal we have been in the middle of transfer speculations – with Vieira, with Petit, with Overmars, with Bergkamp. We have that every year. It is part of our job. They are disruptive but they are not an excuse."

When all other means of defence had been exhausted, he resorted to a piece of semantic blocking. Asked, in what seemed like a point-blank question, whether he expected Fábregas and Nasri to leave, he replied: "I expect nobody to leave the club." He also claimed not to be taking the possible defections personally. "My personal feelings are not important. Overall I have not been disappointed by Cesc's attitude or by Samir Nasri's. They have been professionals."

Reminded of his claim that if the pair were allowed to go, it would mean that Arsenal could not be considered a big club, he came up with an oblique response. "Manchester United let [Cristiano] Ronaldo go," he said. "Do you think they are not a big club?"

In recompense for their departure, Arsenal will bank somewhere in the region of £50m. The season-ticket holders would like Wenger to have spent that money in advance on adding mature, authoritative players to his lightweight and predominantly young squad: someone to partner Thomas Vermaelen in central defence, someone to sit at the base of the midfield, and someone to score the goals that have been missing since the departure of Thierry Henry.

So far he has acquired Carl Jenkinson, a young English full-back, and three wingers: Gervinho, the Ivory Coast international, and two teenagers, the Japanese player Ryo Miyaichi and the English prodigy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Total outlay: £24m. Out have gone Gaël Clichy (to Manchester City for £7m) and Denílson (on loan to São Paulo), soon to be followed by Nicklas Bendtner. "He is on his way out," Wenger confirmed. His destination? "He looks like he knows, but I don't know." No sign of the arrival of Phil Jagielka, Chris Samba, Gary Cahill, Scott Parker or Karim Benzema, the players most frequently linked with moves to the Emirates this summer.

By turns thoughtful, jocular, obdurate and mildly exasperated, Wenger dead-batted all discussion of deals yet to be concluded. "Society dies on speculation," he said in another freshly minted axiom.

There would be no deal, he said, for Juan Mata, the Valencia winger. And Jadson, Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian midfielder? "We are nowhere near doing that." But would he be introducing a new centre-back before the closing of the transfer window? "Yes, because Vermaelen played only five games last year."

His interrogators were more than usually aware that they were asking their questions on behalf of Arsenal's increasingly frustrated fans. Some of those supporters indulged in a little light booing of their team in the 1-1 draw against New York Red Bulls in the Emirates Cup two weeks ago, having detected, even in a pre-season friendly, signs of the mental softness they believe underlies the club's failure to win a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup.

Wenger continues to deny the existence of a flaw that was most visible in the match at St James's Park in February, when they led Newcastle 4-0 at the interval only to collapse to a 4-4 draw, and in the gift of a late winning goal to Birmingham City in the League Cup final that same month, which began the unravelling of their attempt to win four trophies.

"People forget that 4-4 is normally a good football game because you see eight goals," he said, temporarily forgetting the football manager's creed. "We had an exceptional first half, and we were only caught back when we played with 10 men [after Abou Diaby was sent off] and we conceded two penalties under very special circumstances. So on the day we were a bit unlucky and we didn't get any credit for that performance in the first half, maybe our best of the season."

This seemed a strange and unconvincing litany of excuses from a man who once said: "A great player is one who makes his team win. Anything else is just talk." But Wenger has earned the right to do things his way for at least one more season, even though his latest choice of captain – Robin van Persie – looks no more likely than Henry, William Gallas and Fábregas to fit the mould of Patrick Vieira, Arsenal's last trophy-winning leader, a focal point of resistance when the going got tough. "You always hear that," Wenger said. "But I think what would be very nice is to have 11 leaders. Football is not about one magical man who can make miracles."

The season's target, he said, is qualification for the Champions League, for the 14th year in a row. "We may not have won a trophy but we have been consistently in the top four. You will see one day that it is not as easy as it looks."

Source: Richard Williams, The Guardian on 12 Aug 11

Nasri is sub in Gunners friendly rout

Arsenal recorded a comfortable 4-0 victory over a Malaysia XI in the opening match of their Asia tour at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, where contract rebel Samir Nasri impressed when he came off the bench.

Aaron Ramsey scored from the penalty spot after just five minutes following a foul on Jack Wilshere.

Theo Walcott doubled the Gunners lead before half-time with a well taken lob from Ramsey's through ball.

Mexican Carlos Vela - who had been expected to be sold this summer - made it 3-0 just before the hour with an audacious close-range chip, and fellow substitute Tomas Rosicky nodded in during stoppage time following good work from Andrey Arshavin.

Arsenal will play the second match of their Asia tour in China, facing Hangzhou Greentown on Saturday.

The Gunners were without injured captain Cesc Fabregas, who remained in London to continue fitness work on his troublesome hamstring amid reports of a transfer to Barcelona.

There were first-team debuts for youngsters Ryo Miyaichi, back from a successful loan spell at Feyenoord, and right-back Carl Jenkinson, who signed from Charlton earlier this summer.

Belgian centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, who missed most of last season with a niggling Achilles injury, captained the side, while England international Kieran Gibbs started at left-back with Marouane Chamakh in attack.

Holland striker Robin van Persie and Nasri, linked with a £20million move away from Emirates Stadium, were among the substitutes.

It was a flying start for the Gunners when Wilshere darted into the left side of the penalty area and was tripped by Mohd Aidil Zafuan. Wales international Ramsey coolly dispatched the resulting spot-kick past Malaysia keeper Mohd Nasal Mat Nourdin.

Walcott could have doubled the lead when he darted in from the right, but fired over.

Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny had to be alert to divert a looping ball over, before at the other end, Vermaelen's header was just wide.

On 37 minutes, it was 2-0 when Ramsey's perfectly weighted pass put Walcott in behind the defence and the England forward planted a first-time effort over the advancing keeper.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger implemented the expected sweeping changes for the second half, with only Miyaichi, Jenkinson and Ramsey returning.

Young midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong made a welcome return following a season out with a serious knee injury, while both Vela and Denilson were also given a chance to impress despite being linked with summer moves.

Ramsey, now fit following a broken leg, fired over after latching onto a through ball from Vela.

Substitute keeper Vito Mannone - who had a loan spell at Hull - was penalised for timewasting, to concede an indirect free-kick just inside the Arsenal area, which was fired into the wall by Malaysia captain Safiq Rahim.

It was 3-0 on 59 minutes, when Vela, who failed to impress when loaned out to West Brom last season, was played in by Rosicky and finished with an audacious chip over the keeper from six yards.

With 20 minutes left, much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd, Wenger sent on van Persie, Nasri and Arshavin.

Arsenal were sweeping forwards, with Nasri seeing plenty of the ball in a 4-3-3 formation.

Vela should have made it 4-0 when he danced around the keeper, but his shot was cleared off the line.

Rosicky had shot over when well placed, but nodded in a fourth during stoppage time after Arshavin had got away down the left and lofted the ball back across goal.

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 13 Jul 11

Arsène Wenger the preacher must play the big spender

The Arsenal manager has to purge a failing culture and begin afresh with hardened winners

At most aristocratic football clubs, breaking up a side that had not won a bean for six years would feel like a moral duty. The problem starts when the best players break it up themselves without waiting for the manager to announce who should stay or go.

The deepest motivations of Samir Nasri are impossible to know but we can be sure they correspond in part to the size of his weekly wage packet. Cesc Fábregas is a little more obvious; he pines for home and a chance to play in the world's best team with the pals he left behind to join a Barcelona cloning operation in London. But in both cases you detect a collapse of faith that could soon become infectious across Arsène Wenger's fragile squad.

Without control, a manager is no longer the author of his own story. This summer Wenger is being dictated to by events for which he is to blame. A grand idea taken to an unworkable extreme is the way many of us regard the great Arsenal project to impose flowing one-touch football on the Premier League. Those of us who want him to prosper with a team built in his own creative image despair when fundamental prerequisites for success are wilfully omitted, such as a properly organised and resolute back five.

The fear seizing all Arsenal supporters is that any windfall from the sale of Fábregas, Nasri and Gaël Clichy would disappear into the vortex of the club's finances: a confusing swirl of takeover ambitions, stadium costs and Wenger's own refusal to play the mad transfer market game. In a good year this can seem heroic, in a bad one – when they lose a Carling Cup final to relegated Birmingham City, say – it strikes the fans more as a deluded obsession with unproven youngsters from small French clubs.

Fernando Torres performed a service to football by demanding to leave Liverpool for Chelsea. He reminded the whole game that clubs with heritage and tradition should always expel players who no longer want to be there. The life of the club must always be asserted over the whims of the individual. To sell a persistently restless player is a restatement of strength.

For Wenger, though, the picture is more complex. The disaffection in his ranks is more ominous. His players are starting to look like parishioners tiring of their messianic preacher and filing out of the church in mid-sermon. A ¤40m (£36m) offer for Fábregas last summer was resisted only after Wenger had promised his captain the jam promised for tomorrow was finally coming up the drive. The top Arsenal players have probably ceased to believe that message and no longer want to face a grumpy Emirates crowd while being pushed around by Manchester United and Chelsea. Already there are suggestions that Robin van Persie is growing twitchy about the potential for an exodus and the possibility that Fábregas and Nasri would not be replaced by players of similar calibre.

This is where Wenger has to act. A desire not to be ripped off in the transfer market is no longer an adequate excuse when so many of the young players he has educated and supported keep letting him down. Why should he sacrifice his own career to people who go missing in the biggest games? The complication is Wenger's fixation with finding raw talent and feeding it through the London Colney university in line with the Arsenal way.

Well, the Arsenal way is not working, and the fans know it, which is why they resent the constant calls for patience while ticket prices shoot up. They want less Abou Diaby and more Yaya Touré. They want the spirit of Patrick Vieira in midfield and the dog-bite of Adams, Keown and Bould in defence.

Arsenal were never effete. The current generation of followers grew up watching George Graham's teams, admired the solidity as well as the skill of Wenger's first Double-winning side and adored The Invincibles. All they ask is that beauty is realigned with more of the old belligerence. They crave toughness and a winning spirit.

Building a new side around Jack Wilshere, Wenger could use the coming windfall to declare a six-year period of dreaming officially over, and head out into the market to find the kind of players Arsenal used to employ before frailty became the norm. The hard part for the manager will be an admission that he took a wrong turn with his Sorbonne of all the talents. The next job may be rebuilding from the back, where United and Chelsea build better barricades.

This could be the best chance – the last chance – for Wenger to purge a failing culture and begin afresh with hardened winners. Ideally he would want to shed the passengers rather than the officer class but that luxury is denied to him by his own error in over‑investing in potential. It may sound shallow to say £70m-£80m of incoming wealth should be spent straight away but this is where Arsenal happen to stand: at the end of something, with a better path ahead.

Source: Paul Hayward, The Guardian on 2 Jul 11

Nasri wants to stay at Arsenal

Samir Nasri's agent has insisted his client is looking to extend his contract with Arsenal rather than seek a move away from the club.

A season that promised so much for Arsenal fizzled out to nothing and manager Arsene Wenger has hinted widespread changes are likely to be made at Emirates Stadium.

Nasri played a key part in Arsenal's fine run in the early part of the campaign and he has been linked with a move to Italy - with Juventus and Inter Milan reportedly keeping tabs on the France international's situation.

The midfielder has a further season to run on his contract but is keen to secure an extended deal, according to his agent.

"The interest from Juventus and Inter Milan?" Nasri's agent Alain Migliaccio said to Calciomercato.it. "There is nothing happening with them."

"There is no split with Arsenal, far from it. We have started negotiations for the extension of his contract which currently expires in 2012."

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 9 May 11

Samir Nasri can almost 'feel' Arsenal's hands on Premier League trophy

Playmaker examines Arsenal's run-in and predicts how and when his side can defeat Manchester United in title race

Samir Nasri takes his seat at the table. The location is one of Wembley's dressing rooms yet it feels a little like an expensive hotel suite, all dark wood upholstery and hi-spec finishing. Someone cracks a joke about a Mafiosi sit-down. "We're here to make you an offer you can't refuse …" Arsenal's man of the season laughs.

Nasri's message, though, is not out of keeping with the imagined theme. When the kid from the mean streets of Marseille talks, he reveals ambition, calculation and steely desire. His business is indeed pressing. "We know that it is today or never," he says. The 23-year-old is referring to the Premier League title and Arsenal's designs upon it. The fight looks to have boiled down to a straight shootout with Manchester United and Nasri admits that he can almost "feel" the trophy. He seeks to clarify his statement.

"When I say it is now or never, in French we say this as well, it doesn't mean that if we don't do it this year, we will never win a trophy," he says. "But what I mean is that it is our best chance since I came to a club to do it. It feels like that to me. Chelsea are not as good as last year, Manchester United as well, so it is our time."

Nasri speaks critically about his club's rivals, which is unusual for a high-profile footballer but it reinforces the strength of his character. "When we played against Manchester United at Old Trafford in December [Arsenal lost 1-0], they didn't play in the normal way," he says. "They were scared. They played with three defensive midfielders and they closed the game. They know that we can beat them.

"United are not like they were two years ago with Cristiano Ronaldo and [Carlos] Tevez. For me, they were untouchable. Every time at Old Trafford, they scored in the 90th minute and they made the difference always against the small teams. This year, away from home, they have been unconvincing. Chelsea as well, I don't know what happened to them but they just fell down after eight games or so. This year we have had fewer injuries and everyone has grown up, and that's why I say what I say."

Nasri has scrutinised the remaining fixtures and he pinpoints Arsenal's game in hand on United as being potentially decisive. It comes away to Tottenham Hotspur on 20 April. Arsenal famously won their last league title at White Hart Lane in 2004. "If we beat Sunderland, we move to within a point of United and then they play at Liverpool on Sunday without [Nemanja] Vidic and [Rio] Ferdinand and, this year, United are really strong at the back so something can happen there. They hate each other. And if we win our game at Tottenham, we can be on top. So that is why I say we feel we can win the title.

"We have the best schedule. United still have to play Liverpool, Chelsea at home and they have to come to the Emirates to play us. I think we have more chance than United because I am convinced of our quality and I know that the Carling Cup will help us now to face the other targets that we have."

The Carling Cup final against Birmingham City last Sunday was supposed to provide Arsenal with their first silverware since 2005 and the springboard to greater glories in May. Instead it served up last-minute calamity, a familiar sinking feeling and yet more questions about the team's mental toughness. "If you win the Carling Cup, it can give you confidence and sometimes when you haven't won a trophy you become scared of winning," Nasri says. "Winning the Carling Cup could have helped us but now we have to show we are men, that we have the guts to give our answer in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup."

Nasri admitted that fear had undermined his team in the past, specifically when they fell to Barcelona in last season's Champions League quarter-final. This season's last 16 re-match is delicately poised, with Arsenal 2-1 up ahead of Tuesday's second leg at the Camp Nou, but Nasri anticipates a different outcome. This time out, he feels, Arsenal have found liberation in the role of underdogs.

"Last year we didn't touch the ball," he says. "They were everywhere, it was like playing 16 against 11. It really was a nightmare. Maybe we were scared of them as they were fantastic. But this year we said we had nothing to lose. We just played our game and we beat them. At the Camp Nou they will have to attack and they will leave space for us to score on the counter-attack and so we will do it."

Nasri does not disguise his admiration for Barcelona, the club that he could have joined from Marseille at the age of 16. His agent held talks with Txiki Begiristain, who was then the Barcelona sporting director, but no official offer was forthcoming. May Nasri play one day for the Catalans?

"When I was younger my hero was [Diego] Maradona," he says. "After that it was Ronaldo and [Zinedine] Zidane but Maradona played for Barcelona. The game that they have is the way that I love football. I don't make plans for my future. I have learned that you cannot predict what will happen."

Nasri said that he could not rule out playing for another English club, although he did make one exception. "I will not play for Tottenham," he says. "It's like in France, I cannot play for Paris St-Germain [Marseille's rivals] because I'm faithful."

But William Gallas swapped Arsenal for Tottenham. "That's another good reason not to go there," he says. Nasri's feud with Gallas is well documented.

Nasri will discuss a new contract at Arsenal in the summer – talks are currently on hold – and he says that he wants to stay. The weather apart, he likes London, he is happy at Arsenal and he acknowledges that they have made him into the player that he is today.

His progress this season has been eye-catching. Being overlooked for the France World Cup squad last summer has helped him physically and perhaps motivated him further while his numbers speak for themselves. The headline statistic is his 14 goals in all competitions; he had 12 across his first two seasons at the club and he is being talked about loudly as a potential Footballer of the Year.

Individual accolades, though, will not suffice. When rival clubs splashed the cash in January, it heightened the sense that opportunity knocked for Arsenal. "We keep hearing we have quality, quality, quality," says Nasri, "but we have to show it and that means winning a trophy."

Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 4 Mar 11

Samir Nasri dumps Leeds out to kick start Arsenal's FA Cup drive

Arsenal will feel a satisfaction over winning this demanding FA Cup third-round replay that goes beyond the significance of even the tie itself. They were never behind, but an admirable Leeds United were not quelled until the substitute Robin van Persie headed home Nicklas Bendtner's cross 14 minutes from the close. Despite the outcome, Leeds United should be emboldened by their impact in both matches.

Arsenal could well have been eliminated from this tournament since they did not equalise until the very end of the first match, when Cesc Fábregas converted a penalty. On that occasion, a win for Leeds United would not have been taken as a great miscarriage of justice. Arsène Wenger's side had been unable to scare the visitors. That reflected well on the Championship side and their manager, Simon Grayson, but the early opener by Samir Nasri made this a match of a different character.

The Leeds team has been gathering momentum in its bid to return to the Premier League. Elland Road is an asset in all circumstances, even if the hosts contrived to lose four times there earlier in the Championship programme. The atmosphere for a visit by Arsenal was all the more intense since it could be treated as a foretaste of the kind of occasions that could lie ahead for Leeds.

The start was unpalatable enough to have any home supporter grimacing. With five minutes gone Nasri, unhindered, strode through after a pass from Andrey Arshavin and tucked a finish beyond Kasper Schmeichel. Wenger might have put his captain, Fábregas, on the bench, but the inclusion of the France international Nasri, who was nowhere to be seen when Arsenal were defeated at Ipswich in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final, demonstrated that the Premier League side was in earnest.

They were even ready to change their ways. The right-back Bacary Sagna had attempted to pick out Bendtner when in a promising position to shoot, but he reconsidered when finding himself in comparable circumstances after 34 minutes. After making a tackle near his own penalty area, he rushed towards the attack. When his raking drive went across Schmeichel the goalkeeper's brushing contact made no difference to an attempt crashing towards the top corner. It appeared then that the setting and volume were matters of indifference to Arsenal.

The position could have been much worse. Schmeichel had, in particular, pulled off a remarkable block when Marouane Chamakh met a Nasri free-kick from close range in the 11th minute. That was far from being his only assignment. It looked, in any case, as if Arsenal were, for once, as pragmatic as they are artistic. Leeds had a long spell of chasing and covering, yet it can have drained neither their morale nor their stamina.

Against all expectation, they reduced the 2-0 deficit. Leeds might have been missing their centre-forward Luciano Becchio, who had failed a fitness test, but the team came up with its own remarkable way of scoring. Eight minutes from the interval they were keenly in contention. The goal, too, came in a manner to inflame the passions of the Elland Road crowd all the more as Bradley Johnson, from outside the area, lashed a shot high beyond Wojciech Szczesny.

That must have been galling to Wenger, who would surely have started to think that he had selected a line-up equipped for this tie that did not entail involving all of his main performers. As he had learned, coping with Leeds can be tricky, especially when the team is buoyed up by the waves of Elland Road noise.

Football is often a matter of role playing and the visitors re-emerged with a determination to present themselves as superior beings. The role playing worked only briefly, although they could have extended the lead immediately had the opening not come to the holding midfielder Alex Song. Even in Wenger's conception of football, such men do not necessarily have finesse and the save was made without trouble.

Nothing could deter Leeds. When they were under strain, almost anyone could rise to the occasion. Just as a third Arsenal goal did look certain a tackle came in on Arshavin from Robert Snodgrass, an attacking midfielder. For all the talk about the unimportance of the FA Cup, an encounter such as this dispels the jaded remarks.

For Leeds, it was a peek, too, at the kind of fixtures that can be relished if they haul themselves out of the Championship. They were hampered here, however, when injury meant that the worldly Andy O'Brien had to make way for Leigh Bromby. The hosts were still full of endeavour and another substitute, Davide Somma, ought to have equalised when he instead sent a shot wide. The introduction of Fábregas and Van Persie illustrated that the visitors could keep nothing in reserve. The Dutchman soon confirmed the wisdom of the substitution.

Source: Kevin McCarra, The Guardian on 19 Jan 11

The Inexorable Blossoming of Samir Nasri

To look at Samir Nasri you would not necessarily think of him as an athlete, a footballer capable of quite breathtaking feats of technical intricacy. Scrawny, fragile and buck-toothed, Arsenal’s French midfield playmaker is an unlikely maestro, but a maestro all the same.

Imbued with a rare tenacity and the spirit of the fight, Nasri combines an iron will with a precise and direct form of elegance on the ball. The 23 year-old’s performances this season have been those of a player entering the prime of his career; the range of his passing, efficiency of his dribbling and quality of his finishing have improved dramatically over the last eight to ten months. Since arriving in North London a raw and fiery attacking midfielder with great potential, the Marseille-born Nasri has blossomed into one of the finest ‘modern’ playmakers in English football.

A Comfortable Versatility
One of the Frenchman’s greatest assets is his attacking versatility, his ability to play on either flank or through the middle in a 4-2-3-1 with equal ease. In the league his best performances have generally come when deployed on the right side by Arsène Wenger; Nasri’s stunning displays against Manchester City and Everton both saw him start the game in a wide right position.

Relishing the space afforded by defences which played relatively deep against Arsenal, Nasri recorded pass completion rates of 85% and 88% respectively – extremely good for a wide player – and recorded a goal and an assist against City in the process. Seemingly most dangerous when given space to run into with the ball, Nasri’s rapid and unpredictable gait gives him the ability to beat markers, come inside and get into dangerous positions around the edge of the penalty are with stunning regularity.

Of course, that is not to say that Nasri necessarily has a ‘strongest’ position. Against West Bromwich Albion back in September he played centrally in the absence of Cesc Fábregas and, despite a surprise defeat, impressed many with his vision and creativity, scoring Arsenal’s two goals as they went down 3-2 to Roberto Di Matteo’s side.

However, perhaps Nasri’s most intriguing position is that in which he has statistically been used the least this season – the left side. A naturally right-footed player, on the odd occasion that the Frenchman has been deployed on the left he has enjoyed a good deal of success as an ‘inverted’ winger, cutting inside onto his stronger foot to create a new angle of attack. He did this to great effect in the 5-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in October and again against Chelsea this week when he recorded a pass completion rate of 86% (43/50) and saw all three of his attempts find the target.

Indeed, the majority of Nasri’s best moments in both of the games in question came when he exploited the fluidity of Arsenal’s attack to drift off his wing, away from the attentions of the right full-back and into more central areas of the attacking third. His goal and assist for Marouane Chamakh against Shakhtar were the perfect illustration of the significant threat he poses when given the chance to play on the ‘opposite’ wing, adding an extra dimension to Wenger’s plan of attack.

Room for Improvement?
All of the effusive praise that has been thrown Nasri’s way so far is not to say that the Frenchman’s game is without its flaws. An attacking midfielder who is quickly compiling the skills required to become a more complete playmaker, the solitary Premier League assist to the former Marseille player’s name this season shows that, despite having made significant improvements to his passing, Nasri is still struggling to unlock defences with ‘killer’ final balls on at least a semi-regular basis.

One of the hallmarks of Nasri’s game when he first came to England was his seeming reluctance to pass the ball forwards; sideways and backwards being the frequent direction of his distribution. Although that initial reluctance to pass more directly looks to have been left behind, there are occasionally to be seen traces of it in his general play, a trait which goes some way to explaining the relative dearth of assists in relation to the amount of time Nasri spends in the final third of the field.

As with all players, Samir Nasri has his weaknesses and imperfections, but his recent rate of improvement has been astonishing, and, with some work on his final ball and the diligence of his tracking back, there’s no reason why he can’t go on to become one of the leading lights of European football.

The Emerging Force
An increasingly key player for Arsenal and, in the rebuilding period since the catastrophe of the World Cup, France, Nasri’s superlative form has seen him come to be considered as an early contender for the Premier League’s seasonal ‘Player of the Year’ award.

With both Fábregas and Robin Van Persie having missed large numbers of games through injury, Nasri has taken his extra creative responsibilities in his stride this season, adapting to the situation thrust upon him with remarkable ease. In time I have little doubt that we will look back on 2010 as the year when Samir Nasri realised his talents and truly came of age as a footballer.

Source: The Equaliser on 30 Dec 10

Old Trafford is no longer intimidating - Nasri

Arsenal's Samir Nasri claims Old Trafford has lost its fear factor ahead of his side's Premier League visit to Manchester United on Monday night.

The Gunners are top of the table on goal difference from Manchester City, with United a further point behind.

But Nasri believes the current United team lacks the same aura of past teams.

"Manchester United is not the same team as before, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Tevez it was a little bit scary to play at Old Trafford," he said.

"Now I don't think offensively they are the same as before, but still they are a good team and when they are 1-0 up it is very hard to beat them.

"We will see, but we are really confident to get a result out of this game."

Although both managers Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have attempted to defuse the tension ahead of Monday's showdown, Nasri's remarks come after United defender Patrice Evra claimed earlier this week that the Gunners were in crisis.

"We could lose to them but then what? There is nothing [for them], there will be no trophy, nothing," said Evra.

"Arsenal are a great club but it has been five years since they won anything and that for me is a crisis."

Arsenal last won at Old Trafford in September 2006 but they have won five times away from home this season - including an impressive 3-0 victory at Manchester City.

"The difference when we play away is that we defend much better. Our discipline and shape is more efficient when we play away," Nasri added.

"I am quite confident because we can play our game and we know we can score at any moment away.

"We have to reproduce this kind of game at home and to be more efficient at home as well."

It is not the first time Evra has questioned Arsenal's credentials, saying after United's victory over them in the 2009 Champions League semi-finals that "it was 11 men against 11 babies, we never doubted ourselves".

Since Wenger became Gunners boss in 1996, his side have won three Premier League titles, the last of which was in 2004, and four FA Cups. They also reached the Champions League final in 2006 and the final of the League Cup in 2007.

But in the last six years Wenger's youthful side have won only the 2005 FA Cup, while United in the same period can lay claim to three Premier League crowns, three League Cups and one Champions League trophy.

"Arsenal is a training centre," Evra told French television station Canal Plus. "I watch them play and enjoy it but will they win the title? That's what people remember.

"When you play against Arsenal it is a lot of fun. They are a team that play football. They won't come to Old Trafford and put 11 men behind the ball.

"The difference is we play football but also have power. Sometimes they don't kill matches off while we are more efficient.

"Our real enemy is Chelsea. We are more concerned with Chelsea's results than Arsenal's, even if we know Arsenal are a great team who can beat Chelsea, us or anyone."

Wenger stopped short of directly condemning his fellow Frenchman, saying he would leave others to judge whether Evra had transgressed.

"Personally, I believe if you are a big player you always respect your opponent and that is what we try to do," said Wenger.

"We do not want to go into any unneeded talking before a game like that."

"We want to focus on the way we want to play and ignore any provocation."

The comments come after a more convivial atmosphere to the build-up earlier in the week.

Ferguson called for his team's supporters not to repeat the offensive chanting that has been aimed at his Arsenal counterpart on some of his previous appearances at Old Trafford.

But Wenger remains philosophical about the possibility of more personal abuse.

"You know what happened over the years. I believe in individual responsibility of what you do in life," he said.

"I cannot master 70,000 or 80,000 people. I try to do my job, that is all."

Club captain Cesc Fabregas's recovery from a hamstring injury will be assessed shortly before kick-off, but Wenger said he will not take "an unreasonable gamble" on the midfielder's fitness.

United have been near-faultless on their own turf in the 2010-11 campaign, winning seven and drawing one of their eight home Premier League games.

But a return of only one victory and six draws from seven away fixtures has left them a point adrift of Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand.

United's trip to Blackpool last Saturday was cancelled because of a frozen pitch, so this will be their first league outing since the 7-1 thrashing of Blackburn on 27 November.

Ferguson has confirmed that Evra, centre-back Rio Ferdinand and central midfielder Paul Scholes should be fit.

Defensive duo Jonny Evans and Wes Brown had been struggling with a virus but they are also in contention.

Source: BBC Sport on 11 Dec 10

Walcott and Nasri settle nerves

Arsenal moved into the last 16 of the Champions League with a laboured 3-1 win over Group H whipping boys Partizan Belgrade at Emirates Stadium.

Successive away defeats to Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga had left the Gunners - who opened their European campaign with three straight victories - still needing a result to secure safe passage through to the knockout stages for the 11th successive season.

After a lacklustre start, Robin van Persie fired the home side ahead from the penalty spot - his first goal of the season - and after Cleo had netted a shock equaliser, substitute Theo Walcott volleyed Arsenal back into the lead before man-of-the-moment Samir Nasri swept home a third.

Arsenal finished the game with 10 men when defender Bacary Sagna was shown a red card for a professional foul on 85 minutes.

Despite maintaining a 100% home record, Arsene Wenger knows those poor away performances could yet come back to haunt his side, who finished runners-up to Shakhtar and so will face either Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Schalke in the last 16.

Van Persie, taking the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Cesc Fabregas, was deployed in a deeper role behind Marouane Chamakh, with Nasri out wide but with a license to roam.

However, despite having plenty of possession, Arsenal lacked any real creativity while Almami Moreira looked lively for the visitors, whose only goal in the Champions League so far had come against Arsenal in Belgrade.

Nasri - whose fine brace against Fulham had sent Arsenal top of the Barclays Premier League on Saturday - crafted an opening from the right when his cross was headed over by Chamakh.

On 15 minutes, full-back Kieran Gibbs turned his ankle badly and was taken off on a stretcher, but managed to return to the action only to eventually be replaced by Emmanuel Eboue.

As the half-hour mark approached, Arsenal - who travel to Manchester United on Monday night - were gifted the opening goal when Marko Jovanovic upended van Persie after Alex Song had burst into the Partizan penalty area.

The Dutchman took the spot-kick himself to fire home his first goal since the final day of last season.

Partizan - nicknamed the Steamrollers and who had lost all five European ties so far - could easily have let their heads drop, but continued to try to attack. Brazilian striker Cleo got clear down the right, but his cross into the danger zone was hacked away.

Van Persie played in Chamakh when he capitalised on a mistake by captain Mladen Krstajic, but for once this season the 10-goal Moroccan got the ball stuck under his feet and keeper Vladimir Stojkovic collected.

Given his current form, Nasri would have been expected to bury the ball when it dropped to him from van Persie's knockdown some 10 yards out at the start of the second half - but the French midfielder fired his shot high over the bar.

Arsenal's defensive frailties were exposed again when Partizan scored a shock equaliser on 52 minutes. The ball was worked down the left and then through to Cleo, some 20 yards out. He was given the space to turn and fire a shot goalwards, which deflected off the lunging Sebastien Squillaci and looped over Lukasz Fabianski.

The atmosphere was flat as the home fans became somewhat anxious another disappointment lay ahead. With 24 minutes left, Wenger looked to inject fresh life into the attack as he sent on Walcott, replacing the ineffective Andrey Arshavin.

The England winger was blocked on the edge of the area by Krstajic, which earned the Partizan skipper a yellow card. Nasri whipped the free-kick over the wall, with Stojkovic making a fingertip save.

The keeper, though, could do little as, on 73 minutes, Walcott lobbed the ball into the far corner after it fell to him on the right side of the area.

Chamakh was replaced by Nicklas Bendtner and the Dane had a hand in Arsenal's third after a neat exchange of passes with Song on the edge of the area fed Nasri - and the Frenchman sidestepped his marker as he swept the ball into the far corner.

There was late drama as Sagna was sent off for tripping Alexander Lazevski after being deemed last man by Italian referee Paolo Tagliavento.

Radosav Petrovic struck the free-kick, right on the edge of the area, goalwards - but Fabianski made a fine save.

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 8 Dec 10

Samir Nasri evokes memories of Best but Arsenal defence is laid bare

Arsenal bolted from the sublime to the ridiculous and back on another helter-skelter afternoon that finished with them on top of the Premier League table for the first time since August.

At the heart of their scintillating moments was Samir Nasri, who even took on Fulham in his socks in the 27th minute to go close to laying on a goal. George Best might have smiled down from the Heavens. The two goals that Nasri put away were of the highest quality and they established him as Arsenal's leading scorer this season with 11 in all competitions.

Yet the notion of Arsenal as champions-in-waiting still felt flimsy. This game should have been over after 30 minutes, by which time the Fulham manager, Mark Hughes, had been forced to substitute the 19-year-old left-back Matthew Briggs, who was a rabbit in Nasri's full-beams. Time and again, Arsenal tore in on that flank and the final straw for Hughes came when Nasri beat Briggs, lost his boot, tip‑toed on, crossed and almost saw the ball scrambled home.

Arsenal, however, would have trailed at half-time had Diomansy Kamara finished his second one-on-one in the same way that he had done his first. It was an extraordinary turnaround and one that shone a harsh light on the Arsenal defence, which is the team's achilles heel, the reason why the club's fans are sometimes jabbering wrecks and the one that most readily undermines their title credentials. "No, it doesn't do much good for the heart-rate," Wenger said of the afternoon. "It takes a few beats away."

Fulham's equaliser took in farce and horror. Sébastien Squillaci challenged for the same aerial ball as Laurent Koscielny only to butt him. Dazed and confused as he tried to play on, Koscielny allowed Kamara in behind him before collapsing to the ground and leaving on a stretcher.

The unfortunate incident was far from the only one in which the lines of defensive communication were blurred. With the two holding midfielders playing high up the pitch, not to mention the full‑backs, Arsenal had a fragile feel. Simple passes in behind threatened to expose them while they were ever vulnerable to the high ball. Hughes played the big centre-half Brede Hangeland as an auxiliary centre-forward in the dying minutes and he said the crowd were longing for the full-time whistle.

Hughes was asked whether he felt that Arsenal had looked like champions. "Not today in fairness," he replied, "but that is credit to us. You have to ask questions and I thought we did that really well. Their centre-backs are not possibly as strong as they have been in recent years and at times, you can expose them because they are an attacking team. They always get their full-backs advanced, leaving spaces to exploit."

"You have to make sure that Arsenal do not get into a rhythm of playing and passing. You have to break it up, making the goalkeepers kick long and then challenging so it becomes a more difficult game for them."

Two of Arsenal's next three Premier League fixtures are against Manchester United and Chelsea, and Hughes ventured that they would not be able to play particularly freely against his former clubs. "It will be more difficult for them. But I thought we've given a template for teams who have to play them. I'm certain they'll look at how we approached the game and take information from it."

Wenger said he wanted Alex Song and Jack Wilshere to hold a high line to push opposing teams back and permit Arsenal the space to build up the play. He admitted that "sometimes it leaves us open in the middle of the park" and that the strategy had its risks. "If we lose the ball in the build up, we are in trouble."

The bottom line for Wenger is that his team "want to improve our defensive record, that is needed", although with the creative talent in their ranks Arsenal always have the capacity to out-gun rivals.

It was Nasri who stepped up here, and the thought occurred that Arsenal might be benefiting from his controversial exclusion from France's World Cup squad last summer. It is no secret that Nasri and France's marquee player, Franck Ribéry, do not get on.

"The manager [Raymond Domenech] made a choice but I do not think it was for football," said Bacary Sagna, Arsenal's France full-back. "Maybe we should ask the manager. Samir has been one of our best players of the season and we won this game because of him."

Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 6 Dec 10

Nasri Sees Arsenal Home Against Fulham

Two moments of sparkling brilliance from Samir Nasri were just about enough to see off a determined Fulham team at Ashburton Grove and send Arsenal top of the table.

It was hardly a classic performance. In fact, it was another stuttering home display which saw the Gunners look completely on top one moment and nervously under the cosh the next. They started both halves brightly and purposefully but Fulham had their moments. And, in fact, for the larger part of the second half the visitors looked the most likely team to grab a second goal and the more probable winners - that is, until Nasri’s second intervention.

There is not much more to say about Samir Nasri’s form this term that hasn’t already been said. He is head-and-shoulders the player of the season so far. In every match he looks a live threat and the eleven goals he has notched up have made the difference between a player that has "potential" and a player that is actually delivering. His two goals yesterday were moments of wonderful individual skill and composure. He is a man completely on top of his game right now.

The capsule summary of the Gunners’ individual displays yesterday would be: Nasri and Wilshere - excellent. Song and Rosicky - awful. Everyone else - fair to middling. Yet again young Jack Wilshere anchored the midfield beautifully. The accuracy and economy of his passing is something to behold and the only criticism that could be levelled at him is that he is not bolder in committing himself forward - which is something I mentioned last week - though I suppose Wenger has him under instructions to a degree.

Both Tomas Rosicky and Alex Song looked well off the pace. Song, in particular, was a worry as he is supposed to play such an important role in midfield. However, yesterday, he looked lackadaisical. His decision-making was poor and he failed to impose himself on the match at all.

For a man who is looking to break-through in a similar way to Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky really is not getting anywhere near close to cutting it at the moment. He has had one or two reasonable games this season but yesterday’s was definitely one to forget. On his current form, it would be hard to justify keeping him in the starting eleven.

So, Arsenal sit on top of the table at the end of the weekend. It is a very satisfying place to be but I don’t think anyone will be getting carried away with things just yet. Yesterday’s win was hardly the most convincing and there are some very hard games coming up over the next couple of months in the Premier League - the first of which is, significantly, the trip to Old Trafford on Monday week. Yesterday’s result and the Gunners hitting the top of the table whilst United had to sit out their game with Blackpool due to a frozen pitch sets what is always a massive match up very nicely indeed.

Away from the Premier League, Arsenal won through to the semi-final of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night by huffing and puffing their way past Wigan Athletic. The Gunners were a long way from their fluent best but, in return, Wigan offered virtually nothing. A two-leg semi-final with Ipswich Town, who are currently languishing in the bottom third of the Championship, awaits and it seems unthinkable that Arsene Wenger’s men won’t prevail over two matches. Failure to reach the Final would be a catastrophe.

Still, we don’t have to concern ourselves with that particular encounter until the New Year. Far more pressing is this week’s Champions League clash with Partizan Belgrade. Describing it as a “must-win game” is, for once, a statement of fact rather than just hyperbole. Though Arsenal can still progress if they fail to beat Partizan as long as Braga don’t better the result in their game against Shakhtar, it really would be far cleaner for the Gunners to just win the game and get themselves through.

Partizan sit at the bottom of the table on zero points but that is no cause for complacency. I am sure they will be out to spoil Arsenal’s night as a parting shot to this year’s tournament. The Gunners must make sure they approach the game professionally and do the job that needs to be done.

Source: David Young, ESPN Soccernet on 6 Dec 10

Samir Nasri sends unconvincing Arsenal to top of Premier League

If Arsenal are top of the table despite another demonstration of defensive ineptitude, the Premier League may well be succumbing to a form of "leadership by the worst".

It is difficult to remember when the title has ever been won by a team with a defence as ramshackle as Arsenal's again showed itself to be, at least in the continued absence of Thomas Vermaelen, but the flip side of that is that if Arsène Wenger's team do triumph this season it will be because of sumptuous forward play, exemplified here by two superb goals from Samir Nasri, who must surely be the Premier League's player of the season so far.

Nasri has now struck eight league goals in this campaign and created many more. Whisper it, but he may even be starting to fulfil the "new Zidane" prophesies that proliferated when he was a youngster in Marseille. "He was the difference between the sides," the Fulham manager, Mark Hughes, said after this latest Nasri exhibition at the Emirates.

Nasri did not foil Fulham entirely by himself. Andrey Arshavin was also influential. Arshavin, indeed, could have opened the scoring in the sixth minute but his close-range volley was blocked by Mark Schwarzer. Then in the 12th minute Arshavin darted through midfield and fed Nasri, who poked wide from 15 yards. Two minutes later the Frenchman atoned for that miss. After again being teed up by Arshavin, Nasri sidestepped two Fulham defenders and rammed the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards.

The snow had melted in London but Arsenal were threatening an avalanche of goals. Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh both went close and Nasri was tormenting the left-back Matthew Briggs so much that Hughes withdrew the 19-year-old after 28 minutes. "It was a bit too much for him," Hughes explained. Within three minutes, however, Arsenal showcased their own defensive confusion and allowed Fulham to snatch an equaliser from their first real attack.

Sébastien Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny clashed heads while jumping for the same ball at the edge of the area and while the latter lay injured on the ground, Clint Dempsey clipped a pass through to the suddenly unmarked Diomansy Kamara, who finished well from 14 yards.

This fresh evidence of Arsenal's defensive vulnerability emboldened Fulham and spread familiar jitters through Wenger's team. Moments before half-time Kamara should have put Fulham in front but, after the Arsenal defence was prised apart by a routine ball through the middle, Lukasz Fabianski saved well.

Arsenal began the second half strongly and the trickery and penetrative running of Arshavin and Nasri returned to the fore. In the 57th minute the pair combined anew but, after feints from the Russian left two defenders on their backsides, his low shot was saved by Schwarzer.

Still Arsenal remained ropey at the back, as Dickson Etuhu proved on the hour when he rose unchallenged to meet a corner. Fortunately for the home side his connection was poor. Wenger introduced Robin van Persie for Tomas Rosicky with half an hour to go but the Dutchman's first significant contribution was not in attack – in the 70th minute he had to clear off the line as another Fulham corner sent Arsenal into a panic.

Five minutes later, though, Van Persie was in action at the other end, laying the ball off for Nasri to score his wonderful winner. Nasri collected the ball at the edge of the Fulham box and displayed Zidane-esque balance to glide past two defenders and Schwarzer before swivelling and shooting into the net from an awkward angle.

"His goals were a combination of touch, intelligence, special talent and also calmness because he needed to be patient to finish on both occasions," gushed Wenger, claiming vindication for having signed him for a fee of £11m or more two seasons ago. "Many people questioned me when I took him here but he is showing he is a special talent and I think there is more to come from him."

Although Chamakh came close to a third for Arsenal, the home team's fragility at the back meant Fulham had further chances to equalise, notably in the 78th minute when Etuhu stabbed wide after another scramble in the box. "I agree that at stages we looked a bit vulnerable in the air," said Wenger.

"But every team is struggling for consistency at the moment. We have the desire and spirit to fight for the title – are we good enough? We will find out."

Source: Paul Doyle, The Guardian on 4 Dec 10

Nasri brace sends Gunners top

Two magical goals from Samir Nasri rescued Arsenal as they survived another wasteful performance at the Emirates Stadium to move top of the Premier League.

The France star's jaw-dropping composure was in stark contrast to that of his team-mates, who almost threw away another three points in front of their own fans.

Nasri put them ahead early on but a sickening clash of heads between Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci allowed Diomansy Kamara to equalise before Nasri netted a glorious winner.

With Manchester United's match postponed due to the big freeze and Chelsea held by Everton, the victory sent Arsenal a point clear at the summit.

But this was far from a champion performance, more from a side that had lost their last two home league games.

The Gunners announced before the match that their players and directors had agreed to donate their day's wages to Centrepoint.

They had been less than charitable down the years to Fulham, who had never won at Arsenal in more than a century of trying.

That wait looked set to continue when Nasri's spectacular opener put the home side ahead in the 14th minute.

Andrey Arshavin pounced on Aaron Hughes' error before feeding the France star, who sold two sublime dummies before lashing the ball into the top corner.

Nasri was already guilty of a glaring miss after more superb work by the rampant Arshavin, who was running the show two days after helping his native Russia win the right to host the 2018 World Cup.

The first chance of the game had fallen to the striker, his close-range volley blocked by Mark Schwarzer, who had looked certain to join Arsenal in January before signing a new contract with Fulham on Thursday.

Arshavin and Nasri continued to pull the strings - the latter tormenting recalled Fulham youngster Matthew Briggs, who was withdrawn for Chris Baird.

But Marouane Chamakh and Alex Song were both guilty of more profligate play that would come back to haunt the Gunners, whose offside trap was looking particularly suspect.

On the half-hour mark, Squillaci and Koscielny collided going for the same ball and Clint Dempsey took full advantage of the carnage to slide in Kamara, who sidefooted home.

Koscielny was in a bad way and was carried off on a stretcher to be replaced by Johan Djourou.

Both sides should have scored on the stroke of half-time, Chamakh powering a header straight at Schwarzer from Bacary Sagna's brilliant run and cross, and Kamara hitting the legs of Lukasz Fabianski after being played in behind by Dickson Etuhu.

Tomas Rosicky hooked a 52nd-minute volley wide as Arsenal tried to build some momentum after the restart.

Arshavin's dancing feet and near-post drive brought another good stop by Schwarzer but Fulham were refusing to be overawed and saw plenty of the ball themselves.

Etuhu sent a free header wide from Simon Davies' corner before Arsenal withdrew Rosicky for Robin van Persie.

The home fans' frustration grew when Song wasted all his good work outmuscling John Pantsil by blazing over the top.

Fulham were denied a shock lead in the 70th-minute when a corner was deflected to Zoltan Gera, whose header was cleared off the line.

Gera then sent a spectacular overhead kick wide before Kamara was sacrificed for Andy Johnson and Wilshere was withdrawn for Theo Walcott.

Arsenal's change paid off in spectacular fashion with 15 minutes remaining, a brilliant flowing move seeing Van Persie square for Nasri.

The Frenchman still had men to beat but did so with some unbelievable footwork, rounding Schwarzer and pirouetting to net from a tight angle.

The visitors proved they were far from beaten when Etuhu dragged narrowly wide minutes later but Chamakh shoulkd have killed them off when he sent a shot over on the turn.

Nasri looked to be struggling, signalling he wanted to come off, but Arsenal had used all their substitutions and he played on.

Fulham poured forward and the home defence was definitely creaking, with Gera's well-struck volley forcing a fine Fabianski save.

Eddie Johnson came on for Danny Murphy for the closing moments but Arsenal held on.

Arsene Wenger today declared there was even more to come from Samir Nasri after the midfielder's two magical goals sent Arsenal top of the Premier League.

"It was a combination of touch, intelligence, special talent and calmness as well,'' he said. "He needed to be patient to finish on both occasions and he did that very well. I'm happy because he had a game that was, at the start, only based on coming to the ball. But now he has more variation in his game: turns, runs in behind without the ball, and as well coming to the ball and taking it to his feet. So his game is improving and he is, of course, more efficient.''

Nasri has certainly been Arsenal's player of the season and few in the entire Premier League have performed as impressively.

"It's always difficult to compare,'' Wenger added. "But what is important when you are a manager is you want to get the best out of a player and I always was a strong believer in him. Many people questioned me when I took him here but he is showing that he is an exceptional talent and I think there is more to come from him.''

Admitting his defence looked "vulnerable'', Wenger insisted Arsenal were good enough to win the title.

"We are good enough to go on, that is for sure,'' said Wenger, who revealed Laurent Koscielny had suffered concussion in the sickening clash of heads with team-mate Sebastien Squillaci which led to the Fulham goal. "As you see, every single team struggles to be consistent. At the moment, we are where we are despite having lost three games. Today, you could see again every game is a cup final. And if you're not completely up for it, you don't take the three points.

"We have the spirit, we have the quality but we face tough opponents. And it will be down, as I have said already many times here, to consistency. We are far from winning the championship yet. The only thing I can say: we have the desire and the spirit to fight for it. Will it be good enough? We'll have the answer in May.''

"Obviously, the boy Nasri has been playing at the top of his form in recent weeks,'' said Hughes, who revealed young full-back Matthew Briggs was substituted after taking a knock and being given a torrid time by the Frenchman. "I think we probably edged it in terms of chances we created and pressure and momentum that we built during the game.

"But, as most top teams have, they have individuals who can win the game for their team when, possibly, the team isn't functioning as well. Nasri is an excellent footballer, great feet, and once he gets in those positions in the area it's very difficult to stop him.

"From our point of view, we're happy with the performance. I thought we showed real belief in what we were trying to do today, took the game to Arsenal and caused them problems. At the end of the game, the crowd were asking for the final whistle.''

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 4 Dec 10

Nasri makes Spurs pay penalty

Samir Nasri scored two penalties in extra time as Arsenal knocked arch-rivals Tottenham out of the Carling Cup with a 4-1 victory at White Hart Lane.

Teenager Henri Lansbury - one of eight changes made by manager Arsene Wenger, who was serving a one-match touchline ban - swept the visitors ahead from close range after 15 minutes.

Robbie Keane, who came on at half-time, scored an equaliser three minutes after the restart to level for a much-changed Spurs side, which saw Brazilian midfielder Sandro make his debut.

However, neither team could find a winner in normal time, with Nasri's spot-kick double and Andrey Arshavin's goal sending the Gunners through.

There was a minute's applause before kick-off for Tottenham's double winning striker and England international Bobby Smith, who died on Saturday aged 77.

When the action started, there was the expected tense atmosphere of a derby, which Wenger watched from the stands, having accepted a misconduct charge and £8,000 fine by the Football Association following his actions at the end of the weekend's 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

Mexico forward Carlos Vela, who has scored three goals already this season, shot wide from 25 yards.

On nine minutes, Roman Pavlyuchenko was bundled over by Djourou out on the left.

The delivery from former Gunner David Bentley, though, was poor and flew over the crossbar.

Arsenal went ahead on 15 minutes. Tomas Rosicky - who had missed a crucial penalty up at Sunderland - worked the ball down the left to Jack Wilshere.

His ball back across the six-yard box caught the Spurs defence cold, and England Under-21 international Lansbury, who was on loan at Watford last season, stabbed in his first senior goal.

White Hart Lane was left in stunned silence, apart from the pocket of ecstatic travelling supporters behind the other goal.

The home faithful were on their feet, though, when Bentley dashed clear, but blasted his 20-yard effort over before Pavlyuchenko flashed an angled drive wide after cutting in from the left.

Tottenham made a double change at the start of the second half.

Republic of Ireland striker Keane came on for Giovani Dos Santos and youngster Jack Livermore was replaced by England winger Aaron Lennon.

There was some action on the Arsenal bench as assistant Pat Rice appeared to signal up to the stands before sending out Gael Clichy and Emmanuel-Thomas to warm up.

Moments later, though, and Redknapp's changes paid off as Spurs levelled after 49 minutes.

Kyle Naughton's pass caught the Arsenal defence square, as Keane raced into the centre of the area and his low shot squirmed under the arms of Lukasz Fabianski.

White Hart Lane was immediately transformed, as the home side went in search of a quick second.

However, Arsenal weathered the storm and had a decent spell, with Eboue and Vela both missing the target after good build-up.

Laurent Koscielny made a last-ditch block as Lennon cut into the right side of the Arsenal box.

With 18 minutes left, the Gunners sent on Marouane Chamakh, for Vela, and Arshavin replaced Rosicky.

Keane came close to snatching a winner when his header hit the base of the post, before Wilshere's stoppage-time free-kick caused panic in the Spurs six-yard box.

Arsenal snatched the lead again just 30 seconds after the restart when Sebastien Bassong tugged back Nasri in the box, and the Frenchman dispatched the resulting penalty.

The Gunners were awarded another spot-kick when Chamakh went down after cutting across debutant Steven Caulker, who tugged at his shirt, leaving referee Lee Probert little option and Nasri slotted his second penalty of the night into the bottom corner.

Tottenham replaced Sandro with Niko Kranjcar, before Bentley clipped the woodwork with a far-post header wide - much to the delight of the visiting fans.

Arshavin made it 4-1 when after being tripped by Kyle Naughton, he collected Wilshere's quickly-taken free-kick to dart into the area and slip the ball into the far corner.

Fabianski denied Keane with a brilliant reaction save from point-blank range after Nasri had cleared off the line.

The second period of extra-time was an instantly forgettable, but the jubilant Gunners fans revelled in every minute.

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 22 Sep 10

Arsenal's Samir Nasri gives Joe Cole central role masterclass

Joe Cole will have little fondness to remember his debut for Liverpool, though he should draw lessons from the brief time he did spend on the pitch. There was a masterclass on show at Anfield of how to play the central role behind a lone striker, but it was not delivered by the England midfielder.

Arsenal moved the ball far more accurately in the first half, maintaining better width than Liverpool, with Emmanuel Eboué and Abou Diaby offering enough physical strength to assist the smaller, attack-minded trio of Andrey Arshavin, Jack Wilshere and, critically, Samir Nasri.

When Eboué moved inside from the touchline, Bacary Sagna advanced and rarely kicked away the ball in possession, preferring to stroke easy, angled passes to the available Nasri or Marouane Chamakh.

Arshavin, who may have preferred to play loose behind the lone forward, held the left side. It was Nasri, given the central role, who gave a fine first-half exhibition of the requirements in this position.

With Diaby intercepting and holding his ground and Wilshere passing comfortably with more licence to break, Nasri showed Cole how to play off a solitary striker. The France international was constantly mixing up his game in a bid to unsettle the deep-lying Javier Mascherano and drag him out of his comfort zone: he came short and linked with colleagues; he went wide to overload and make two versus one situations; and he was always aware of his movement to free himself, find space and attract the ball.

In a similar Liverpool set-up, Cole gave himself 45 minutes to make an impression before he was fairly punished for an over-enthusiastic lunge on Laurent Koscielny. He failed because he stayed too central and did not pose the towering Diaby a problem. With Arsenal's defence playing a high line – they caught David Ngog offside three times early on – the space was more squeezed and Cole was lost in the clutter of bodies. Contrast that with Liverpool, who sat deep, granting Nasri more room to exploit.

Back at Chelsea, Cole had always relished the chance to play the free role behind a front man, even if rarely granted the opportunity. However, if Roy Hodgson continues with 4-2-3-1 with Cole sitting behind Ngog or Fernando Torres, the midfielder will have to show more imagination and movement to drag central holding players away from their shielding position. Here, in the first half, he was unable to eke out room to receive or make an incisive pass, or find an opportunity for a shot in a mediocre contribution. He must learn from his afternoon of disappointment.

Source: David Pleat, The Guardian on 16 Aug 10