In what has become an increasingly heated fixture in recent times, City will look to close the gap on Arsenal to just three points, while the Gunners need all three points to keep pace with runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool. And there is no doubt over who Nasri will be cheering on.
Before his two league titles at the Etihad Stadium, the now-retired Frenchman was a fan-favourite in north London. He was signed from Marseille in and, under the tutelage of compatriot Wenger, became a standout player in his three years at Arsenal. Not only that, the winger would join City, becoming the fourth Arsenal player to quit the club for the Abu Dhabi-funded side in a short space of time, following the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Gael Clichy.
He was booed in his final game β a defeat to Liverpool β by those who formerly adored him, and was accused of betraying the club who had helped propel his career. The already-deteriorated relationship with Arsenal fans was severed completely when he appeared to suggest he left for financial reasons.
It's normal. If I said to you tomorrow that there is another journal, as serious as your journal, that offers you three times your salary, I think you are going to go there! But my first motive was to win trophies.
He sparked the wrath of the Gunners faithful further in by moving to clarify his comments, telling The Telegraph that he left to win trophies and pointing to Arsenal's lack of silverware in his three years at the club.
