Nasri prepared for Arsenal fans to take aim at him

Samir Nasri says he expects a rough welcome at Emirates Stadium when Manchester City visit London to play Arsenal. Alex Livesey / Getty Images

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri is anticipating another less-than-warm reception from Arsenal fans when he returns to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday but insists it will not affect his focus.

Nasri was with Arsenal for three seasons before switching to City in the summer of 2011.

The France international has received abuse from Arsenal supporters on previous occasions when he has returned to the club.

Ahead of City making the trip to London, Nasri, told City’s website: “I don’t expect to be welcomed with open arms by the crowd but hopefully that’s because they were disappointed to see me leave and perhaps at some point they loved me.

“But when I am on the pitch I don’t focus on the opposition fans, I am focused on doing my best for the team.”

City are third in the Premier League, two points behind second-placed Liverpool and three behind leaders Chelsea but with two games in hand.

They have nine matches left to play and if they can win at fourth-placed Arsenal, it would be a major step forward for their title challenge.

But Nasri is keen not to place too much emphasis on any one remaining fixture.

“There are plenty of games left between now and the end of the season,” the 26 year old said.

“I think it is too easy to say that one game will be crucial for the title. We know that if we win every game we will be champions, so every game is crucial for us.”

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