Nasri left Arsenal for Manchester City this summer. Will watching their 6-1 defeat of Manchester United from the bench have got him wondering about his choices?
If Nasri has signed for Manchester United this summer, he would have been on the pitch on Sunday.
Who knows if Nasri could have swung the game for United. By virtue of their dominant early possession it could be argued they were one key midfielder away from unlocking City’s defence prior to their late capitulation.
Obviously Nasri will point to the league table, City top and five points above United, and remark he has joined a better side.
But does he feel part of it?
When he has played, he has done very well, away to Tottenham and away to Blackburn in particular, racking up the assists.
He was not however expected to be kept out the side by James Milner, which is the situation he finds himself in, not to mention the scintillating form of David Silva.
Can Nasri and Silva play in the same side? Mancini seems far from convinced, especially as it would likely lead to having to drop Sergio Aguero, who also likes to drop deep.
This is why Nasri should be reflecting, if he had gone to United, he would have had star billing, and could have been their creative fulcrum.
He cited going to City as being more of a challenge, but it looks increasingly like the easier of the two options.
Time will tell how this one plays out of course, in a Premier League season only nine gameweeks old, Nasri has ample time to make an impact.
Fans of Arsenal, Nasri’s default option of course, believe that his decision was motivated by money.
It is easy to argue on form that City is a clear step up from Arsenal and dismiss this argument, but to consider that he turned down United, gives the argument some credence.
Nasri has to focus on the here and now and win a starting spot for City. Rightly or wrongly he has missed the boat for a chance at United, he may not care.
Should he have a tinge of regret or will he feel genuine satisfaction?
Either way, it is a shame for a player as talented as Nasri to spend 90 minutes of such a huge game sitting on the sidelines.
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