Samir Nasri

Samir Nasri (; born 26 June 1987 in Marseille) is a France France national football team Association football of Algerian descent who currently plays Samir Nasri club football for the English Premier League side Arsenal F.C.. A naturally right-footed player, Samir Nasri generally plays on the left side of midfield for Arsenal but has also been used all over the midfield as an injury cover-up when needed. Samir Nasri has been hailed by many as the "new Zizou" after impressing at Samir Nasri boyhood club Olympique Marseille. Previously a regular for France at the youth level, Nasri was named in the Euro 2008 squad but received little playing time. Since then, Samir Nasri has established himself as a midfield regular.

Early life

Nasri's parents moved to France from Algeria. Samir Nasri father is from Constantine, Algeria and Samir Nasri mother is a native of Biskra. Nasri grew up in La Gavotte Peyret, a northern suburb of Marseille. Samir Nasri often played on the streets, where Samir Nasri learnt many of Samir Nasri skills. Samir Nasri used to play for the local gang team, but after much violence, Samir Nasri parents signed Samir Nasri up to the football club Pennes Mirabeau at the age of six. Nasri himself has claimed that Samir Nasri tough upbringing actually helped Samir Nasri with Samir Nasri quest to play professional football, 'if I can be brave enough to face a knife I am brave enough to face a tough tackler'. Samir Nasri spent two seasons at Pennes before being scouted by Olympique de Marseille in 1996.

Club career

Marseille

Nasri began playing with Marseille when Samir Nasri was 9 years old. Samir Nasri started playing in Ligue 1 in the 2004/2005 season at the age of 17, when Samir Nasri started 13 games and came on as a substitute in 11 games, scoring one goal. The next season got Samir Nasri experience in both the UEFA Cup (10 games; no goals) and the UEFA Intertoto Cup (one game; one goal). In the 2006/2007 season Samir Nasri scored Samir Nasri first goal of the year in Ligue 1 late in the season on 29 April 2007, when Samir Nasri started the match against FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and helped Samir Nasri team to a 4–2 victory. This win allowed Marseille to climb into fourth place with just four games remaining, putting them into the UEFA Cup qualifying spot. Nasri was part of the squad that lost in the Coupe de France final in 2006 versus Paris Saint-Germain and Samir Nasri also lost in the 2007 final against Sochaux.

On 20 May 2007, Nasri was named French Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year ahead of Jimmy Briand and Karim Benzema. Samir Nasri was voted Marseille's player of the year by the fans, receiving 62% of the votes. In addition, Samir Nasri was dubbed the "new Zinedine Zidane" for Samir Nasri vision and dribbling skills.

Arsenal

On 11 July 2008, Nasri signed for Arsenal F.C. from Olympique de Marseille on a long-term contract for about £12.7 million (€16 million). Samir Nasri made Samir Nasri Arsenal debut on 30 July against VfB Stuttgart in Germany, playing for around 60 minutes in the friendly encounter. Samir Nasri scored in Samir Nasri Premier League debut against West Bromwich Albion F.C. with a close range effort, after only four minutes of the first game of the season, on 16 August 2008. Although not yet confirmed by the club, it is believed to be the fastest goal ever scored by an Arsenal debutant. On 27 August, Nasri made Samir Nasri UEFA Champions League debut in the UEFA Coefficients 2nd Leg against FC Twente, scoring in the 26th minute to mark Samir Nasri European debut the same way as Samir Nasri did with Samir Nasri league debut—with a goal. On 8 November 2008, Nasri scored both of Arsenal's goals in a 2–1 win over Manchester United F.C.. Nasri played Samir Nasri part in Arsenal's Round of 16 Champions League triumph over A.S. Roma and was deployed behind the strikers. On 11 March 2009, Samir Nasri converted Samir Nasri penalty in the shoot-out after drawing 1-1 on aggregate. Due to Nasri's versatility, Samir Nasri has been deployed all over the midfield. On 21 March, Nasri made the scoresheet again as the Gunners defeated Newcastle 3–1 at St. James' Park.

On 21 July 2009, Nasri suffered a fractured right fibula in pre-season training in Austria and is expected to be out of action for at least six weeks.

International career

Nasri has been involved in the French national set up for a long time, progressing through the Under-16s, 17s, 18s, 19s and 21s. Samir Nasri was part of the team that won the 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, scoring the game-winning goal in the final match. Nasri received Samir Nasri first cap for France national football team on 28 March 2007 against Austria national football team, in a home friendly match at the age of 19. Samir Nasri delivered a free kick low into the box from which teammate Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the match. Samir Nasri scored Samir Nasri first senior international goal in Samir Nasri third appearance for the senior team in a 1–0 win against Georgia national football team on 6 June 2007 in a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier. Nasri was named in Raymond Domenech's final squad for Euro 2008; at age 20, Samir Nasri was one of the youngest members of the French squad selected for the final tournament. Samir Nasri made two appearances as a substitute and played for 32 minutes.

Style of play

Nasri has been compared to Arsenal legend Robert Pirès by Arsène Wenger who also described Samir Nasri as a quick and technically outstanding player with mobility and vision.

Personal life

Samir has been in a relationship with the French tennis player Tatiana Golovin since May 2008 and Samir Nasri lives with her in Hampstead.

Honours

Marseille

- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2005

International

- 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship

Individual

- Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year: Ligue 1 2006-07 Young Player of the Year
- Ligue 1 Team of the Year: Ligue 1 2006-07 Team of the Year

Arsenal career statistics