Nasri: More of the same or something different?
1 comment May 21st, 2008
With stories about Samir Nasri’s potential move to Arsenal spring up all over the web, I thought it might be worth considering if Nasri is really what we need.
For a couple of years now, Arsenal fans have been desperate for Arsene to sign a wide player. Many thought that Carlos Vela would solve that problem on our left-flank, but Le Boss recently revealed he sees the Mexican as a striker.
Nasri, though, is not a traditional winger. In fact, he’s from the same mould as Tomas Rosicky and the man he could replace at the Emirates, Aleksandr Hleb. He is a playmaker, happiest in a central role off the striker(s), but also able to play wide at a push. In many ways, Nasri’s countryman, Hatem Ben Arfa, would be a more suitable signing – he has the pentrative pace and direct running we have lacked in recent seasons. Perhaps the emergence of the fleet-footed Theo Walcott is what has led Arsene to opt for a more creative player like Nasri. I can’t pretend to know what’s in Arsene’s head. But if I had to choose now, I think I’d plump for Ben Arfa.
Update #1: L’Equipe claim that a £12m deal for Nasri is agreed, and that he could even sign a four-year contract later today.  I have to say, they rarely get it wrong. Looks like our first signing of the Summer could be imminent.
Robin van Persie insists he will be ready for Euro 2008. His coach, Marco Van Basten, is more cautious:
“I do not want to take a risk with Robin.”
In that case, might I suggest something like this.
Champions League Final tonight. I’ve thought about it a fair deal, and I think… *gulp* I want Chelsea to win.
Why? Well, United are The Old Enemy. I despise Ferguson but am indifferent about Grant. And as much as I loathe Ashley Cole (Update #2: Thankyou Claude Makelele, thankyou), I think I might find Ronaldo equally detestable. United deserve to win it, and I would chuckle if they lost it to a side who for much of the season have been regarded as a rich man’s plaything.
We’ll know if I backed the right horse soon enough…
