Creative Soccer Culture

Samir Nasri Interview

Samir Nasri Interview


With Premier League and Champions League glory still in his sights, Samir Nasri chatted to the SoccerBible and told us how he enjoys the freedom in his role at Arsenal, and how he feels fellow adidas F50 adizero wearer Lionel Messi is the complete package...


SoccerBible caught up with Samir alongside the Champions League trophy and the new adidas Finale London football, at Wembley Stadium this week. Of course, to reach the final there's the little matter of overcoming Barcelona first!


SB: Would it be fair to say Barcelona are the best team you've ever played against?


SN: Yes, but last year for me they were much better. This year in the first half they showed us what the difference was between them and us, and then in the second half we showed them the progress we've made in one year.


SB: How will you approach the second leg at the Camp Nou?

SN: They will come to attack so they will leave space for us, we have to play with pace and counter attack. We can beat them.


SB: So Arsenal will go to Barcelona to attack?

SN: Yes of course, we cannot play another game we can't defend. We are a team that loves to play, with players who love the ball.

SB: Is stopping the partnership of Iniesta and Xavi more important than stopping Messi?


SN: You know for me it is more difficult to stop Messi than Xavi and Iniesta. Because Messi he can make the pass, he can dribble, he can score, you cannot stop him.


It's like if you say to someone just follow him for 90 minutes, you know that something will happen because he has such a quality that he can make the difference. Xavi and Iniesta are more players with the pass, but Messi can make the difference by himself, so it's more difficult to stop him.

SB: Do you enjoy a similar free role to Messi in the Arsenal side?


SN: Yes I have plenty of freedom, but Messi now is playing as a striker he can come to the middle and the defender will not follow him, he can turn and he can have plenty of space. For me I have more freedom on the side, I can come inside so it is different.



SB: Salomon Kalou is here today, do you watch the Chelsea Champions League games?


SN: I watched the Chelsea game, first because I love football and second because I have plenty of friends at Chelsea. So it's a good result because you want English clubs to be near the end.


The Champions League is not the Premier League, in the Premier League I want Chelsea behind us but in the Champions League if you are Arsenal you support an English team.

SB: Would you like an all English final at Wembley?

SN: I would like an Arsenal v Chelsea final because it's two clubs from London, it will be a great atmosphere they have a good relationship.

SB: You're still competing in three competitions, Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, which is most important for you?

SN: For me the Champions League is the best competition, when you play for a club it is the cup you want. It is still there and after the blow of the Carling Cup we want to come back to Wembley and win.

SB: We're here today to officially launch the adidas Finale London football, what are your thoughts on the new Champions League final ball?


SN: I like it because it's the Arsenal colours, so maybe it's a sign we'll get to the Final! But I love the ball, it's not like other balls because with this you can strike, you can cross, it's a fantastic ball.


After we finished chatting with Samir he signed a pair of adidas F50 adizero football boots, which you can win in our exclusive giveaway competition, so stay tuned to the SoccerBible for that one.

If you liked the look of any of the football gear both Samir and Salomon were sporting, the full adidas F50 clothing range is available to buy from Pro Direct Soccer.

Author
Admin

The Creative Soccer Culture Brief

Sign up to our newsletter and we'll keep you in the loop with everything good going on in the world of Creative Soccer Culture.