Samir Nasri eager to prove Manchester City switch 'wasn't a mistake'

Arsenal left in no doubt about Nasri's strong desire to leave (GETTY IMAGES)

Samir Nasri is determined to prove his move to Manchester City was not a mistake.

The France midfielder initially struggled to make an impression at the Etihad Stadium following his £24million move from Arsenal last August.

The 24-year-old is still to replicate the consistently high standards he produced for the Gunners last season but he feels he is now settling into a rhythm.

Nasri has still completed the full 90 minutes just nine times for City but said: "It is always tough when you change and go to another team.

"You have to be involved 100% and at some points I wasn't.

"Now I am starting to be settled and you will see a better Samir every week.

"You have to work when you don't feel well and you haven't produced what everyone expects from you.

"But I was always confident about my quality and you will see that.

"At Arsenal I was playing a little bit higher with three strikers and three midfielders. Here we play 4-4-2 so you have to work more defensively.

"But that doesn't matter. I have understood that and I want to show everyone that it wasn't a mistake."

Nasri's move angered Arsenal fans but he feels he made the best move for his career as City chase the Barclays Premier League title while the Gunners labour in pursuit of a top-four place.

He insists, however, he takes no delight in Arsenal's present situation.

Manager Arsene Wenger is coming under increasing pressure at the Emirates Stadium after a 4-0 thrashing by AC Milan in the Champions League last week and an FA Cup loss to Sunderland.

Nasri said: "I don't want Arsenal to fall down.

"I wanted for them to win the FA Cup or something because I have a lot of respect for the players there and the manager.

"But I know, since I started, I made the right choice.

"We are top of the league, we are still in the Europa League.

"What Arsenal does doesn't matter. It is my choice."

Nasri expects Arsenal to recover from their problems but has suggested sometimes they might need to adjust their playing style to gain all-important results.

He said: "Sometimes it is good to win ugly. You don't always have to play good football to win.

"Arsenal is the proof of it. They play good football but, at the end, in seven years they didn't win (any trophies).

"It is difficult for them but the manager has a good philosophy and I know he will find a solution soon."

Nasri has previously voiced his hurt at claims his move was motivated by money and he says his early-season form was not hindered by the fee City paid for him.

He said: "I never asked Manchester City to pay £24million.

"It was a lot of money but every transfer now has a lot of money.

"What you want to do is give something to the team and the people who brought you here and have trusted you since the start of the season. The money is not my problem."

Nasri will hope to retain his place as City host Porto in the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie tomorrow.

Nasri started as City underlined their intention to take the competition seriously by coming from behind to win 2-1 at the Estadio do Dragao last week.

He said: "Porto are really dangerous, especially in counter-attacks.

"We have an advantage but that doesn't mean we have qualified. We have to be careful.

"They have good players, we saw that in the first half of the first game.

"We wanted to win everything at the start of the season.

"Now without the FA Cup or the Carling Cup any more we have the Premier League and the Europa League.

"We will be focused on the two competitions and try to win it."

Mancini, whose priority is protecting the two-point lead his side have at the top of the Premier League, is equally determined to make sure City progress to the last 16.

Mancini said: "It is better to start from 2-1 but we know Porto is a top team and we should play like it is back 0-0.

"I feel it is a difficult game. It will depend on us and we will need to play very well."

PA