Samir Nasri is a piece of work.
Merely 24 hours after Roberto Mancini’s comments that he would like “to give [Samir Nasri] a punch” tore through the footballing world, the French winger took to Al-Jazeera’s beIN Sport network to respond. After expressing his discontent over Mancini’s comments and claiming that he plays with more than the 50% effort that Mancini claims he does, Nasri pulled one of the more fantastic verbal 360’s in recent memory by expressing his undying love for Arsene Wenger.
“Arsene Wenger is the greatest coach I’ve worked with,” said Nasri. “If I’d worked with Wenger at Manchester City, maybe I would have avoided some problems.”
“Arsene Wenger is the one who understood me most, with whom I had the greatest affinity. I’m very grateful to him as he signed me after perhaps my worst season at Marseille when I had a bout of meningitis. He played a huge role in my career.”
The comments may come as a shock to Wenger and Arsenal fans, who Nasri left beaten and bleeding in 2011 when he skipped his way out of the Emirates and into the Etihad. The comments will likely make Gunners supporters wonder - If Nasri felt close to Wenger, then why leave? Or perhaps - If Wenger truly was the man ‘who understood [you] the most’ why would you stab him directly in the back?
But do yourselves a favor, Arsenal fans. Don’t waste precious brain power on such thoughts. Because Nasri’s words and this entire situation have nothing to do with Wenger or Arsenal. This situation is about Samir looking out for Samir - as has always been the case when it comes to the Frenchman. So despite how adamant he is that his move to City was “purely for sporting reasons,” there’s no denying that the four-year, $263,000-a-week contract that he signed with City more than doubled what he was earning at Arsenal.
Does Nasri miss Wenger? Possibly. But the only reason why Nasri is crying out for his old teddy bear is because he’s been wounded by Mancini’s comments. It’s a defense mechanism of the weakest form. And it’s truly pathetic.