New Arsenal recruit Samir Nasri has admitted that although a throng of other clubs were sniffing around him, as soon as Arsenal declared an interest he was only ever going to sign for the Gunners.
Setanta Sports reports that Nasri, 21, was cock-a-hoop when Arsenal came in for him, and was full of joyous praise for his new club:
“…Arsenal came in later, there were other clubs, but when my agent told me The Gunners were interested, that immediately became the priority for both me and my father.
“You just have to look at what the club has done in the last few years. Arsenal put a lot of faith in youth and all the French players who have come here have made an explosive impression.
“There’s a guarantee with Arsenal; they’re a club synonymous with success. And then there’s Mr Wenger.” (Setanta Sports)
And when the subject of homesickness came up, Nasri claimed that it wasn’t a problem and he seems to be very impressed by the slick Arsenal set up:
“It was very important to know I wasn’t heading into the unknown. I don’t feel homesick at all – you hear more French than English in the dressing room.
“Don’t forget that I’m only 21; not 26, 27 or 28. I don’t have a lot of international experience, so for my first experiment abroad Arsenal is ideal.
“I was at a big French club and today I’m at a big European club. When you arrive here, you get an English mobile phone with all the important numbers in it.
“There’s a guy on call 24 hours a day. When you show up at training, you’re given your own personalized training program. (Setanta Sports)
Nasri seems happy, he scored on his debut against the Baggies, and all seems to be sweetness and light, but will Arsenal’s customary end of season stagnation change his mind?