Super Samir Nasri Shows Arsenal Don't Need Fabregas To Have A True Matchwinner In Their Ranks

Samir Nasri win the ball from Pantsil

by Oliver Yew

For long parts of this season Arsenal have been without their influential captain Cesc Fabregas, but they still find themselves top of the Premier league after16 games.

In the past, the Gunners have struggled without their inspirational skipper, but they seem to have learnt how to cope without him thanks to the rise of Samir Nasri.

The 23-year-old Frenchman has stepped up his game and is now one of the most influential members of Arsene Wenger's squad, attracting comparisons with another free-scoring French playmaker who used to patrol the Arsenal flanks but now plays at Villa Park.
The similarities between Nasri and Robert Pires are there for all to see.

Both are direct players who can go past defenders on either side. They both have an eye for a pass and, more importantly, are not afraid to score.

But there is a slight difference, as Pires was an established star when he joined the Gunners in 2001 while Nasri has been a work in progress.

Speaking after watching Nasri score a brace in the 2-1 win over Fulham, Wenger was full of praise for the much improved France international.

"It was a combination of touch, intelligence, special talent and calmness as well," he said.

"He needed to be patient to finish on both occasions and he did that very well.

"I'm happy because he had a game that was, at the start, only based on coming to the ball.

"But now he has more variation in his game: turns, runs in behind without the ball, and as well coming to the ball and taking it to his feet.”

Nasri, who has 19 caps for his country, has been Arsenal’s most consistent performer this season, adding goals to his elegant play.

He has been the star of the Premier League season so far, playing out wide and even in a central role in the absence of Fabregas.

His goals yesterday were perfect examples of how the winger has terrorised defences week in and week out.

The first was full of pace and trickery as Andrey Arshavin ran at the Fulham defence and released Nasri, who stepped inside two defenders and rocketed a left-footed shot into the top corner of the net.

The second was even more spectacular as he picked up Van Persie's pass on the edge of the area and beat John Pantsil as if he was not there before calmly taking it wide of Mark Schwarzer and spinning 360 degrees to finish from a tight angle.

It is not the first time Nasri has come to Arsenal's rescue this campaign.

Against West Brom, despite fighting a losing cause with his side 3-0 down, the former Marseille player was instrumental in nearly salvaging a point for the Gunners, bagging two late goals to hand his side a glipse of salvation.

But more importantly he has had a huge impact in games that Arsenal have gone on to win.

He was a major player in the League Cup third round win away at Tottenham, scoring two penalties as Wenger's side romped to a 4-1 victory.

He also netted in the important league victories at Manchester City and Aston Villa, and was impressive for France in their 2-1 win against England at Wembley.

From a player who scored only 12 in his first two campaigns at the club,  Nasri has transformed himself into a prolific goal scorer who has already banged in 11 goals in all competitions this season.

So what has made the difference?

"His game is improving and he is, of course, more efficient, Wenger said.

"But what is important when you are a manager is you want to get the best out of a player and I always was a strong believer in him.

"Many people questioned me when I took him here," Wenger added, "but he is showing that he is an exceptional talent and I think there is more to come from him.

“He was a bit too much attracted by the ball and we wanted him to do more once off the ball, go in behind without the ball, because we have many players who can keep the ball."

But that is not all.

While Marouane Chamakh is not the most glamorous player, his importance to this Arsenal side and the improvement in Nasri’s form cannot be over-looked.

The Moroccan international, who was brought in on a free transfer in the close season, has added a new dimension to Arsenal’s play, and his ability to hold the ball up, bringing his team-mates into play, has allowed players such as Nasri, Arshavin and Walcott to flourish.

It has allowed the Gunners to be more direct and that has benefitted Nasri who has played a key role on the flank and behind the front man.

And if he continues in this rich vein of form all season few will bet against Arsenal ending their five year wait for a trophy.

... but the comical defending isn't funny anymore

Despite Nasri’s brilliance, and Arsenal securing top spot in the Premier League, Fulham’s equaliser underlined once again the defensive frailties with which Wenger’s side continue to operate.

For the home faithful, the build-up to Kamara’s goal was horrifying.

Having failed to adequately head-clear a long ball, Sebastien Squillaci embarked on a head-on collision with Laurent Koscielny, as both of Arsenal’s centre-backs looked to defend what seemed a limp Fulham attack.

The collision was no doubt a sore one, but none more so than for the home support, who have become all too accustomed to defensive lapses which, when compared with the beauty of Arsenal’s free-flowing attack, appear ever more ghastly.

Koscielny was subsequently replaced by Johan Djourou, another less then accomplished component in Arsenal’s backline.

Nonetheless, the 23-year-old Swiss international seemed to add solidity to the defence, such was the shambolic nature of Fulham’s leveller, and Wenger must remedy such lapses in concentration to mount the title challenge which their blistering front-line deserves.



Source: Goal.com