Arsene Wenger hoping for Samir Nasri to play against Barcelona
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hoping for his best player of the 2010-11 season, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360 to be fit ahead of the UEFA Champions League knockout match against Barcelona on Wednesday.
The former Marseille winger has been in his prime form since the start of the season. He has already scored 14 goals in all competitions and is currently Arsenal’s top scorer.
Nasri sustained a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s fifth round FA Cup win over Huddersfield and has not featured in any match in the last two weeks. The 23-year-old, who was initially ruled out for at least three weeks, has completed his weekend training.
Arsene Wenger admitted that Nasri’s fitness and the decision of playing him against Barcelona on Wednesday would be decided after Monday’s fitness test.
Wenger, who labelled Barcelona as the best team in the world, would be very pleased to see Samir Nasri back into his side as it will boost Gunners’ chances against the Spanish giants on Wednesday.
The Gunners would be aiming for a positive result at Emirates but the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 manager has stated that he would not risk Nasri for the Barca tie if the Frenchman fails to pass the fitness test.
“I would say he has a chance. He has tests, one tomorrow and one on Tuesday. I will not take a crazy gamble but physically he has worked very hard; physically he is ready. It is just if there is a risk of a setback or not,” said Wenger.
The French manager of Arsenal also added that his team is excited to play against the Spanish champions and especially Samir Nasri, who is enjoying the best form of his life.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380 was eased back to full fitness by Arsene Wenger after returning from a long-term injury. Wenger is now enjoying fruitful results for his patience, as the Dutch striker has already scored 11 crucial goals since his return to full fitness.
Wenger feels Van Persie’s rich vein of form could prove very important against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 and predicts that the Dutchman would be able to find the net against the Catalan giants.
“He was getting back to his best and he is at his best. We go into the Barcelona game in better shape than last season and Robin is part of that. We had many uncertainties last year and now the team has more confidence. We have matured better. We can compete better with them technically,” said the Frenchman.
It was Barcelona who ended Arsenal’s 2010 Champions League campaign and the Catalan giants are once again favourites to triumph against the Gunners.
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