Samir Nasri has leapt to the defence of Arsene Wenger and insists that Arsenal’s recent struggles are not solely down to the manager.
The Frenchman has found himself under increasing pressure at The Emirates in recent weeks after Arsenal fell down the Premier League table to trail leaders Chelsea by 10 points.
Arsenal were also thrashed 5-1 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week to leave their European hopes in tatters.
It remains to be seen whether Wenger will extend his stay at Arsenal beyond the summer, as his current deal is set to expire at the end of the season.
Nasri played under Wenger before his eventual transfer to Manchester City and had nothing but positive things to say about his former boss.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Nasri said: “You cannot criticise a guy like that, it’s impossible. Arsenal was a big club but he made it even bigger.
“I just think that people need to be fair. It’s not because Arsenal doesn’t have success in the league that it is his fault.
“It’s the players on the pitch, it’s the players who don’t get the result.
“It’s hard for me to say something about him because I owe him a lot of things.
“I came to the Premier League because of him, I had a good career because of him too because he gave me confidence.
“He made me a better player and I just think all the players who have played with him, when they left they became better players.
“I don’t think it’s him, there’s a lot of things at Arsenal, the board, the players that need to be checked out, not just Arsene.”
Arsenal’s next Premier League game is a crunch trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool on 4 March. The Gunners finished second in the Premier League last season.
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