Nasri alarmed by criticism

Gunners midfielder looking to prove critics wrong

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 4th December 2008

Nasri alarmed by criticism

Nasri: Looking to prove critics wrong

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Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri has vowed to prove to the clubs many doubters that they are title challengers.

The Gunners defeated Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to get them back in the title race.

The north Londoners still sit eight points behind league leaders Liverpool but know that Rafael Benitez's men have to visit the Emirates on 21st December.

Arsenal will go into the game full of confidence after defeating Manchester United and Chelsea already this season but it is the points dropped against the likes of Fulham and Stoke City which has drawn criticism from sections of the media.

Despite this lack of consistency Nasri, who joined the Gunners for £12million from Marseille in the summer, has been amazed at the amount of criticism aimed at the club.

Alarmed

He said: "There is lots of relentless criticism about Arsenal that is not fair.

"But now it is up to us to stop talking, to work hard at training and to show on the pitch that all of that is nonsense.

"We know the quality we have, we know what is in our dressing room and that everything is okay at the club so we can prove them wrong."

The 21-year-old has settled quickly to life in the Premier League with four goals in 10 starts following his arrival.

The Frenchman admits that despite recent events, with William Gallas being stripped of the captaincy after publicly airing his controversial views, the dressing room is very much united at the Emirates Stadium.

"He said: "I am very pleased with my four months here so far.

Family

"The atmosphere is excellent, and the club is like a real family, so the time I have spent has been really special.

"It was fantastic to make my debut for Arsenal and score in the same game. Working with this team and with the boss has been great and I feel comfortable with them.

"I knew a number of the players already from the French national team and I knew the boss very well too.

"So from playing with the France squad, I got to know a lot about the English league, it made things easier.

"Now I hope that my adaptation can continue as well as it has begun."