‘When Patrick Vieira tells you to join Manchester City’, you listen’ – Samir Nasri reacts to £23m move and questions passion of Arsenal fansAfter completing his move to City from the Gunners, the French play-maker has opened up about the transfer saga, the fans, and playing alongside legends at the Eastlands
New Manchester City signing Samir Nasri has claimed it was the advice of former Arsenal player Patrick Vieira that convinced him to move from the Gunners.The Frenchman signed for Roberto Mancini's side for £23 million on Wednesday, the latest in a long line of exits from the Emirates, including Gael Clichy, who also moved to City.
But it was former Gunners captain Vieira - now a coach at the Etihad Sadium - who had the biggest influence on the young Frenchman
"When you have a player like this [Viera], telling you Manchester City is the place to be because it is the club of the future, they want to win everything, and they have a big, big project, you have to listen," Nasri told City's official website."You know it was a big relief, because it was a long, long negotiation and discussion between the two clubs and now I am finally a City player.
"That's what I wanted from the start. I am really happy."
"You know I was a little bit frustrated because I said to the manager [Arsene Wenger] that I wanted to leave.
"So I stay for the whole preseason. I had wanted to the preseason with Manchester City so they could know a little more about me. "Today is a big day for me because it is a new start and I am looking forward to do it."
And it was also the lure of playing with the like of David Silva and Sergio Aguero that convinced Nasri to move north.
"They are big players. When you arrive at a club, you want to play with big players," he added.
"I love this kind of player [Kun Aguero and David Silva]. They are not tall, they're like me! They have quick feet, good technique, and they like to play. And when you play with players like these you always want good connections."
"You know, you are just happy to be there, in the dressing room, and I just can't wait to play with them."
Nasri added a parting shot to his former club, claiming the fans are not as enthusiastic as they used to be, as the club suffers multiple player exits.
"What I can see, they [City fans] are really passionate," he added. "They remind me a little bit of Marseille.
"Arsenal have good fans but they are not that passionate since moving from Highbury to the Emirates."http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2011/08/24/2634757/when-patrick-vieira-tells-you-to-join-manchester-city-you-listen-
