West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has insisted his new signing Samir Nasri is "ready" to play Arsenal on Saturday, seven years after moving on from the Gunners.
(Image via Getty Images)
Nasri spent three years at Arsenal in 2008 to 2011 before moving onto Manchester City for a successful spell; winning two Premier League titles.
The former French international left City in 2017, and has now returned to West Ham United after a drugs ban left him without a club.
Nasri impressed on his debut against Birmingham City in the FA Cup and now his boss Pellegrini has confirmed he's ready for the clash with his former club at the weekend.
"I think there were a lot of things to take from the game and one of them was Samir Nasri's play after a long time without playing an official game," Pellergini said to the club's official site.
"I was very happy with the way he played. He is a player who gives you time with the ball and has good technique and the ball is always around him.
"I was never worried about Samir because I saw him working for so many days in December, so I was sure he was able to play."
Pellegrini wouldn't reveal whether Nasri would start against Arsenal, but he did hint at the French midfielder being involved at some point.
"He will now be considered in different games and the next one is Arsenal," Pellegrini added.
"We don't know if he will start or be on the bench but now he has demonstrated that he is back and he will continue to improve his performances as he plays more games."
Nasri hasn't always had the best relationship with Arsenal since his departure all those years ago.
Speaking in 2016, Nasri said: "Manchester City were a better team - that's why I went there. It was my ambition; not because of money.
Nasri played 86 times for the Gunners; scoring 18 in his spell there (image via Getty Images).
"Whether you're a fan or not, people should understand that, if a bigger company calls you, if you're ambitious you're going to go there.
"I had so much love for this club because the fans were amazing towards me then after when I saw all of that (Arsenal fans' hatred towards Nasri), I became a little hateful because I was like 'come on, why are they doing this? I haven't done anything wrong to them' and it became this relationship; from love to hate.
"It's a bit sad because I spent three amazing years there - they brought me from Marseille and Arsene Wenger was like a father figure to me, he did everything for me. I'm still on really good terms with him but it's sad to have this relationship now with the club."