Looking with relish at the fearsome tests awaiting
United — including matches against Liverpool, Chelsea and
a possibly decisive trip to the Emirates on May 1 — Nasri said: “We
have more chance in the Premier League. We have the best schedule.
I am convinced of our quality.”
Warming to his theme, the 23
year-old hinted that Arsenal could inflict further
embarrassment upon United in their FA Cup quarter-final duel at Old
Trafford next Saturday, arguing Sir Alex Ferguson’s players were
“scared” to face such a freewheeling attack.
“We can beat Manchester United,” he said. “The last time there
[in the league on Dec 13, when United won 1-0], they didn’t play in
the normal way. They were scared. They played with three defensive
midfielders — they closed the game. I think we know we can beat
them.
“Now we can feel the Premier League,” declared Nasri, who has
identified the north London derby at White Hart Lane on April 20 as
another crucial staging post in Arsenal’s season. “If we win
against Sunderland, we come back to within one point of the top.
United play at Liverpool without Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic,
so something can happen there. That is why I say we feel we can win
the title.”
It is proof of the single-mindedness animating this Arsenal side
that Nasri, just six days after the Carling Cup defeat to
Birmingham that denied the club a first trophy for six years, can
sound so bullish. He needs little reminding of his own abilities,
having illuminated this campaign with his mesmeric passing and a
new-found ruthlessness in front of goal.
But he has also acquired a deep loyalty to the Arsène Wenger
‘project’, of which he is such an integral part. This midfield
zephyr is yet to toast any silverware in his six years as a
professional, either at Arsenal or his hometown club of Marseille,
and admitted: “It is today or never. It feels like that to me.
Chelsea are not as good as last year, Manchester United as well, so
it is our time.
“United are not like they were two years ago, with Cristiano
Ronaldo and Carlos Tévez. For me they were untouchable. This year
they have drawn or lost a few games away from home, and have been
unconvincing. Chelsea fell down after just eight games. This year
we have had fewer injuries and everyone has grown up. It is now or
never.”
Nasri’s optimism extended to Arsenal’s Champions League
prospects on Tuesday against Barcelona, who once expressed an
interest in him as a 16 year-old still finding his feet in
Marseille’s northern suburb of La Gavotte Peyret.
Arsenal would, he promised, not be cowed as brutally as they
were 11 months ago at the Nou Camp, when an irresistible Lionel
Messi helped himself to four goals.
“Last year the first touch of their team really was a
nightmare,” said Nasri, attending the launch of the Adidas
Champions League final ball at Wembley. “For the first time in my
life I was frustrated
“We didn’t touch the ball. They were all over the pitch. It was
like playing 16 against 11. This time they have to come and attack
us, and they will leave plenty of space for us to score on the
counter-attack. We will do it.”
