The Arsenal Thread XI

I think Nasri is better than Cesc right now and he has incredible potential. But he joined the wrong club. If he joined Man Utd, Fergie might well have turned him into another Ronaldo. That's how much I rated his ability and I've been saying Nasri has more potential for years. I was more disappointed he left rather than Cesc, but there you go.

Both non-Arsenal players right now and I don't want either back (nor will they want to come back). We need a complete change of style.

You think Nasri is better than Fabregas?

Sorry but Fabregas defecates all over Nasri.

I strongly disagree.

I strongly disagree.

I don't really get the need for the stupid scoffing of genuine opinions. As Darth Vader 7 says, we can agree to disagree. I don't like Nasri and I would never want him back at Arsenal, so I have nothing to gain by defending his ability. Reputation counts for far much than it should with young Arsenal fans (of which I am one, of course). "I don't think they can be said in the same breath", yes, they can -- there's no need to be so prissy about it. I'm not having Cesc as some sort of untouchable Henry, Bergkamp-esque legend that you can't compare players of fantastic natural ability to.

And then you get these childish comparisons of 'winning us games'. What determines winning us games? Has Koscielny not won us games this year with fantastic defending? Or does it only count if he's wearing the captain's armband, is on the cover of Fifa and in the sense of assists and goals only....if so, Walcott has got more goals+assists than Iniesta over the past 2 seasons. Nasri plays a more defensive role now and did even last season. I don't think there is a gooner who can objectively say Nasri didn't out-perform Cesc last season. It might sound crazy, but I tend to place more weight on that rather than what happened a few years ago. Wilshere probably out-did them both despite having hardly any assists or goals. It's difficult to measure these things and not as clear cut as what the sky sports stats read.

For me, Nasri has more in his locker. Nasri had shown flashes of brilliance with his technique and the way he moves the ball -- against Porto, for example. Someone yesterday posted a video of Van Persie's goal against Liverpool where Nasri played a cross-field 50/60 yard pin-point ball. He has the vision, the passing range, he can definitely carry the ball better as a dribbler and he showed last season he can finish, scoring 15 goals. The way I see it, Cesc is more consistent with his passing range and his finishing (which it took him quite a few years to get the hang of). But I think Nasri's all-round ability is better and under the right manager could really become an elite player. Rather than being shoved out wide, if he got the ACM role for us that Rosicky has, he could've been amazing...assuming his head wouldn't have been turned by interest from other clubs -- which is no guarantee.

Someone woke up with their pants in a twist.

Really though? I always thought he excelled as a wide player making those inside runs and taking his player on.

This video shows him in the CAM/No.10 Role, though it was pre-season.

http://www.viddler.com/explore/mr_renoog/videos/27/

I can see where Syn is coming from.

It's a tough call between Nasri and Cesc. Nasri is probably the more natural footballer, but Cesc is more effective. Nasri is physically (strength and pace) superior to Cesc though.

I like Nasri alot, him and Benzema are the future of the France NT imo. Along with Ribery and Gourcuff, the french team could win the Euros.