Arsenal clinch Nasri deal

Arsenal have finally completed the signing of midfielder Samir Nasri from Marseille.

The 21-year-old French international has joined the Gunners on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.

Nasri, who will join up with the Arsenal squad on their pre-season tour of Austria on July 21, said: "I am very happy to become an Arsenal player, it means such a lot to me.

"This is a very important step in my life as a football player because Arsenal is a massive club.

"I really hope everything will go well for me here. I will my best for Arsenal and its fans and I am honoured to be part of such a great football club."

Nasri made two appearances for France at Euro 2008 and has been a long-term target of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger all summer - with the player having announced last month, somewhat prematurely, the deal had been completed.

With all the relevant documents now processed, and the fee reported to be in the region of £12million, Wenger can look forward to shaping his team ahead of the new season which kicks off with a Champions League qualifier on either August 12 or August 13.

Wenger said: "He is young, quick and technically an outstanding player.

"He has shown great potential with his performances for Marseille and the French national team over the past two seasons and he will add great quality to our squad."

The confirmation of Nasri's arrival could soon be followed by the departure of winger Alexander Hleb to Barcelona.

Wenger will also want the future of leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor, a £30million target for AC Milan and Barcelona, to be resolved before the Gunners' start their pre-season schedule.