'Stupid': Ex-Arsenal star's blunt verdict on fans who abused him

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Samir Nasri once labelled Arsenal supporters "stupid" for the abuse he received after swapping the Emirates Stadium for Manchester City — and the France international never backed down from that stance.

The midfielder arrived in north London from Marseille in 2008 for around £12million and spent three seasons with the Gunners before joining City in a £24m deal. At the Etihad, he won two Premier League titles along with a couple of domestic cups.

Speaking to the Sunday People in 2014, Nasri said: "I just think the abuse I get is stupid. I'm not an Arsenal fan, I am not from London. To be honest we are players and we are just looking at what are the best interests for us and our careers."

'It was the best choice'

Nasri went on to explain his reasoning in full: "When Manchester City came for me it was the best choice to come here. Since coming to City I have won trophies and I have a better life so I am really happy about everything. If the fans can't move on it's too bad. I am not trying to have a problem with that. They do what they have to do and they love their club."

He also rejected the idea that the move amounted to betrayal, pointing to the other Arsenal players who had made the same journey north.

"They see that as a treason or that I betrayed them but it's not that. I'm not like that. I just look what's best for me and that's what Bacary Sagna did, what Emmanuel Adebayor did and what Kolo Toure did," he said. "For the fans the only reason has to be for the money. But it isn't just for the money."

On the financial element, Nasri added: "Of course, it's a factor and it's important. But if someone earns £200,000-a-week, £150,000 or £100,000-a-week, it's not that which is going to make a difference or an impact on your life, so that's not true."

Respect for Wenger remained

Despite the tension, Nasri stopped short of using his medal collection as a stick to beat Arsenal with at a time when the club were still waiting on their next major trophy.

"I don't think it would be nice for me to do that. I am trying to be more mature and not to be involved in those things because I have had a lot of problems in the past. To say, 'Look, I have won these trophies' is not nice towards the Arsenal fans," he said.

He reserved genuine warmth for the manager who developed him: "I am in debt to Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. I am this player today because of him. But I don't think I need to explain myself. What I have achieved with Manchester City should be enough."

The transfer took place during a period now under close scrutiny. The Premier League has found City guilty of 114 of 115 charges relating to its financial rules, with the club maintaining their innocence.

Nasri, now 39, remains one of the more divisive figures of the late-Wenger era. With Arsenal and City currently locked together at the top of the Premier League table, the rivalry he stepped into 15 years ago shows no sign of cooling.