Arsenal have finally confirmed the signing of Samir Nasri from Marseille for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £12 million.
The deal was announced by the player himself prior to Euro 2008 even though no official statement had been made by either club. That’s changed as of today and the French international was paraded around the Emirates for the press.
Wenger was clearly chuffed with his capture.
“We are delighted to be signing Samir Nasri. He is young, quick and technically an outstanding player,” exclaimed the Arsenal boss earlier today.
The Arsenal boss certainly speaks the truth but just what kind of player have Arsenal signed here? Handily Samir has summed himself up rather nicely in his interview with Arsenal’s official site.
“I am an offensive midfielder. I like offensive, technical and quick football, exactly in the style of Arsenal. I hope I will integrate myself quickly in this team and bring everything I can to Arsenal and its fans. I can play in the centre or on the wing. During my career, I have played behind one or two strikers or on the left, or the right hand side.”
Unlike Walcott, Nasri seems set to feature heavily in Wenger’s plans from day one. He has been handed the number 8 shirt which certainly shows intent. With Hleb linked strongly with a departure from the Emirates, his role just behind the strikers or deployed on the left, would appear to suit Nasir down to the ground.
Over the past 12-months he has developed the bulk to cope with the physical challenges that will come his way, that and his superb technique – demonstrated best by his control and dribbling skills – will help him terrorise Premiership defenders. Regular starts should lead to assists and in the Fantasy Premier League game there will be the innevitable bonus points – although he will of course compete with FPL darling Fabregas for these. A losing battle no doubt.
Labelled the “new Zindane” in the recent past – expectation will be sky high but the 20-year-old will undoubtedly need time to settle. As you would expect and as is common for Wenger signings, Nasri is by no means the finished article. Just 11 goals in 145 appearances for Marseille tells you that he is yet to develop into a goalscorer, despite being a hugely attacking midfielder. Goals will doubtless come but, like Cesc Fabregas, Nasri will need time to find his shooting boots in the Premiership.
As a fantasy signing then, Nasri appears to be the classic Premiership import. Despite a tempting mid-price option and Arsenal’s rather kind opening set of fixtures, “wait and see” is certainly the best policy. We’ll need evidence of Wenger’s plans for the midfielder and a suggestion that he can have the kind of impact on matches before considering him further. Certainly the departure of Hleb will add some clarity to his role that and a sparkling pre-season from Nasri could well see him rank highly on our midfield shortlists.