Wenger plays down Nasri return
November 28, 2011 13:24:14 UK
Arsene Wenger is focusing on the tie with Manchester City rather than Samir Nasri.Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists Tuesday's Carling Cup quarter-final with Manchester City is not all about the return of former Gunner Samir Nasri.
Nasri made the decision to move to City in the summer, forcing Arsenal to cash-in on the Frenchman as he was nearing the end of his contract.
However, Wenger believes Nasri deserves the respect of the Arsenal following and has moved to down play the return of the midfielder, stating winning the game is all that should matter for the north London outfit.
Arsenal are 2.87 to beat City on Tuesday, while the visitors are 2.37 to grab the win and reach the semi-finals, while City are 3/1 to eventually face Manchester United in the final.
"You want to respect the players who have played for us, that is what we expect," said Wenger.
"But it is always more important to support our team on Tuesday night, than to be negative towards the players of Manchester City. What is important is we are united to win the game."
He added: "It is important to keep our run going because every win makes us stronger."
Both Wenger and City counterpart Roberto Mancini are set to make a number of changes to their respective starting line-ups on Tuesday night. Nasri could start for City as Mancini will rotate his squad to keep the club firing on all cylinders in all competitions, while fellow former Gunner Kolo Toure is also expected to start.
Wenger has used the Carling Cup as a tool to hand the club's youngsters first-team experience in recent years and the Gunners boss is expected to continue with that policy despite the strength of their opposition.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Francis Coquelin and Ignasi Miquel are all expected to start on Tuesday, while key man Robin van Persie could well be rested with summer recruit Park Chu-Young in line to replace him.
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