Nasri: I had to leave, Arsenal can't compete with Premier League elite



Samir Nasri has stuck the boot into former club Arsenal, blaming the board's transfer policy for their dramatic change in fortunes and leaving them unable to compete with the Premier League elite.



The French international said the Gunners' humiliating 8-2 defeat at Manchester United on Sunday showed he left at the right time to join moneybags Manchester City.

In disarray: Wenger hangs his head during Arsenal's 8-2 defeat

Nasri told French newspaper l’Equipe: 'Yes, it was [the right time to leave], there are sure signs.



'The departure of Cesc to Barcelona is one of them. The defeat against Birmingham in the League Cup final was very harmful for the minds.



'Arsenal remains a big club, but the building of Emirates Stadium changed a lot of things. It has changed the ambitions, so far. But it is not Arsene Wenger, it is the club’s politics, the officials.



'Arsenal doesn’t have the same funds. They can’t make the same coups as before in the transfer market. They are rather forced to sell their best players and bet on young ones.'



Arsenal offered to extend his contract but Nasri had made up his mind to go.



He said: 'Why didn’t I extend at Arsenal last autumn? They made me an offer and my advisers made another one. In this last one there was a clause that Arsenal officials didn’t really accept.

Backing: Arsenal fans show their support for Wenger

'Then, it lasted. When they came back to offer me again in June, I made my decision. In my mind I wanted to leave, above all after the very difficult end to last season and I also already had nice contacts.

'At first Arsene Wenger wanted to keep me. Then, both clubs needed time to agree a transfer fee.



“My agents worked well. With the lawyers they wanted everything to be in order. When the transfer is big, you have to be patient. I am also happy Arsenal could get a nice fee. I prefer to leave that way than being a free agent. I did the same at Marseille. But that €28million fee doesn’t put me under any pressure.”

Nasri insisted City were always his first choice, despite reported interest from neighbours United.



'From the start there was unanimity about my arrival at Manchester City. The coach, the executive director Garry Cook and chairman Khaldoun al-Mubarak, I felt everyone wanted me,' he said.



'The players teased me for my first training session. They said: "You needed time to come. We are waiting for you for one month and a half". I know most of them, playing against them.

Back with a bang: Nasri helped City claim a 5-1 win over Tottenham

'Training with all those good players every day, I will improve. During sessions, there is a big intensity. At Arsenal it was already good, but here it is an upper level.



'When we finish the session with a match, you really feel like you’re in an official competition. There are 22 players of a very high level. In the Premier League, very few clubs can show such wealth.'



Nasri is yet to win a major trophy in his career and he is looking to out that right at City, adding: 'You play football because you like it, but above all to win trophies.



'I am still dreaming about a national title, a cup or Champions League just like a kid.

