Samir Nasri Scouting Report – France 2-0 Ecuador

Samir Nasri is on the verge of becoming an Arsenal player. Terms have been agreed with the player himself, with sources close to Marseille saying he has already been to London for a medical. The players agent Jean-Pierre Bernés says he expects the deal to go through shortly, with just the final payment details to be sorted between the clubs.

Samir has done his bit, and is currently with the French team for of their preparations for Euro 2008. Tonight they played their first of three friendlies before the tournament begins, against South American side Ecuador. Nasri was handed the number 11 shirt and started as right sided midfielder in a 4-2-2 formation, which boasted both Hatem Ben Arfa and Lilian Thuram. The pair have been linked with a switch to North London in recent weeks, but all the attention was on Nasri.

He took to the field sporting an untucked shirt, with white boots and white ankle tap which went half way up his leg, in a similar way to Emmanuel Adebayor. Although he started on the right, no doubt he would have a free role to drift and support Nicola Anelka and Djibril Cisse.

France looked to pass and probe their South American opponents in the early stages, Nasri had now cropped up on the left and played a superb 1-2 with Abidal, before slipping on the wet turf and losing possession. Samir was involved yet again just a minute later, as he rose to flick the ball over to Ben Arfa, however it was again snuffed out.

Nasri was now playing more centrally, but drifted out to the right to collected Sagnol’s pass. He then tricked his way towards the left back, who stood his ground and won the ball. Nasri did not give up and fought to win back possession before seeing his sliced cross cleared. Following a bright spell for Ecuador, France hit back as Anelka rolled out to the right before spotting Samir’s intelligent run through the middle. Only the poor service stopped him from latching on to the ball and shooting.

Almost instantly they came again, Sagnol rolled Nasri in who tried a first time ball to Anelka, only to see it deflected away. Ben Arfa was hugging the touchline in a traditional winger role, and won several free kicks as France’s visitors struggled to get into the game. Samir was pushing high and centrally up the field, with the French coaching staff shouting for him to drop back on several occasions.

Ben Arfa played a neat 1-2 with Nasri on the half way line, before he let fly from all of 35 yards only to see his stinging drive clawed out. An impressive start from France and in particular Nasri, but work required if Arsene Wenger plans on deploying him out wide.

Both sides exchanged periods of possession before Ecuador exploded into life. Carlos Tenorio raced in behind the French back four, before rounding Frey and tapping the ball goal wards. Only to see Lillian Thuram throw a leg out and clear on the line, he also deflected Tenorio’s volley wide. Nasri admitted he has a “Youthful Inconsistency” and this showed as for the final 10 minutes of the half, he dropped deep and hardly saw a touch.

The half finished with Ben Arfa over hitting a simple free kick, before Cisse’s diving header only found the keepers gloves. With the last attack of the half Nasri’s cross from the right wing found the head of Anelka, who flicked his effort over.

Half Time – France 0-0 Ecuador

An abundance of subs ruined the flow of the game int he early stages of the second half, and it meant a reshuffle for Nasri, and he and Hatem Ben Arfa switched flanks. Gomis had come on at half time for Djibril Cisse, and the impressive striker trapped the ball expertly before smashing the ball high in the corner to give France the lead.

Nasri was quiet initially but then sprang into life as he robbed the right back, before exchanging passes with Bafe Gomis. Now in the area he shaped to shoot, but was blocked out and the chance was gone. Flamini was next involved as his passing move, found Nasri who picked out Sagnol on the opposite flank. He lofted a cross deep into the area who was caught by Ecuador keeper Elizaga.

The came some brilliance from Ben Arfa, he floated in from the right hand touchline, before smashing a low drive at the keeper which was tipped over. It would be the Lyon mans final impact as he was then replaced by Florent Malouda.

With just five minutes left it was game, set, and match to the French. Nasri found Anelka inside the box, his cross fell to Gomis on the penalty spot, who volleyed low in the corner to wrap up the win.

Full Time – France 2-0 Ecuador

Verdict On Samir Nasri

Nasri looks a superb player and was at times this evening fantastic. He has excellent close control and is not afraid to shoot from range on occasions. He is versatile also and despite frequently drifting inside can play on either flank with ease. Bafe Gomis is a similar type of player to Adebayor, and the pair linked up really well on the wings.

The points i would make on his game is that his passing is a little predicable at times, and when he does come inside it leaves him and his team exposed out wide. But all these things are coach able and overall Nasri looks a top buy.

Article By – J.Sanderson