Samir Nasri is bracing himself for a hostile reception when he returns to face his old club Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The midfielder spent three years playing for the Gunners and is hoping to keep the pressure on league leaders Chelsea with a victory at his former stomping ground.
And the 26-year-old, who has previously had a rough time on his return visits to North London, is expecting home fans to give him another tough afternoon.
“I don’t expect to be welcomed with open arms by the crowd but hopefully that’s because they were disappointed to see me leave and perhaps at some point they loved me,” the French international told the club website.
“But when I am on the pitch I don’t focus on the opposition fans, I am focused on doing my best for the team.”
Following a convincing 3-0 win in the Manchester derby for the Blues, Nasri is excited by the prospect of facing a side they have only lost to twice in the last nine league matches.
“The great thing is it is another big game, and we know we have been playing well as a team against big opponents, so I am looking forward to it,” he said.
“We have been used to playing every three days since the start of the season, so I don’t think the United game has affected our preparation.
“We are just aiming for a second great result against Arsenal after the one at Old Trafford.”
Meanwhile Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed his regret at not signing one of City’s stand out players in recent weeks, Yaya Toure, when he had the chance.
The Ivorian, who has scored 21 goals in 42 appearances so far this season for the Blues, was on trial at the Gunners back in 2003 but chose to pursue his playing options in Ukraine rather than wait to play for Arsenal.
“It would be up at the top [of my list of regrets],” said the Frenchman.
“But let’s not forget that Yaya Toure had an agreement with us – and it’s not because we did not want to sign him that he went to Ukraine.”
Main image courtesy of Manchester City FC via YouTube, with thanks.
