Nasri 'annoyed' that Gunners do not receive due credit

(GETTY IMAGES)

While certain Arsenal fans will be annoyed that their club will finish the season potless for the fifth successive term, Samir Nasri is equally annoyed that the players will not get the credit they deserve. The French midfielder also believes that Arsène Wenger's policy of not just simply trying to buy the title should be applauded.

The Gunners lost any chance of hauling themselves back into the title race after allowing Wigan Athletic to recover from 2-0 down to win during a dramatic final 10 minutes at DW Stadium on Sunday. The inquest into another campaign which promised so much yet again failed to deliver a trophy to Emirates Stadium has already begun.

Nasri, though, maintains that the Gunners are heading in the right direction under Wenger, who has yet to commit himself to a new deal past the end of next season.

"It is annoying," Nasri said. "The work we do is not getting the credit it deserves because we are not winning silverware.

"It is unfair because I think we have more merit as a club than those who have built their teams with millions of pounds whereas Arsenal have brought in young footballers, who have come here to play a certain kind of football and who have developed. This season had proved that we have everything to compete and we have learnt so much.

"I am hoping that our squad will stay unchanged because we are really good and, with a year more experience, we can achieve some great things next season."

Wenger saw his options limited at various stages of the campaign by injuries to key players such as Robin van Persie, his captain Cesc Fabregas, Andrei Arshavin, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott.

Nasri, who himself recovered form after suffering a broken leg during pre-season, believes things would have been different if Arsenal had been able to send out their first choice XI on a more consistent basis.

"Injuries happen and it is part of football, but I think if we had not had those injuries, we would be top of the Premier League and still in the Champions League," said the French midfielder.

"Apart from Arsenal, I do not know a team playing without five of its best players in the quarter-final of the Champions League like we did against Barcelona and to be in such a high position in the league. Our injuries are always serious. They are not small muscular problems, and that gives more credit to our season."

Wenger certainly has some thinking do on how he looks to take the team forwards next season. Most notably in defence, given his thirtysomethings Sol Campbell, William Gallas and Mikaël Silvestre are all out of contract.

The Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh, though, looks set to arrive on a free transfer from Bordeaux and Nasri believes the 26-year-old would prove a good acquisition. "It would be a great signing for us," Nasri said. "He is a player that I really like. He plays for the team, gives everything and works very hard. He has big potential and would fit perfectly in our team."

Arsenal are no doubt preparing for another summer of speculation over the future of Fabregas and his father even had to wade into the debate yesterday. Francesc Fabregas Snr denied reports that he had held a meeting with Real Madrid's director general, Jorge Valdano.