Samir Nasri did not disappoint in his first match against Premiership neophytes West Bromwich Albion. Beset by key injuries, Arsenal faded in the second half of the 2007-2008 campaign. Several new additions this summer will hopefully allow supporters to forget about the likes of Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva as the Gunners make a run at the title.
The 21-year-old Frenchman struck early at the Emirates Stadium to the delight of the home crowd. The left midfielder, who came over from Marseille for 12 million pounds, joins midfielders Amaury Bischoff and Aaron Ramsey as the additions to Arsène Wenger’s youthful squad. Mexican international Carlos Vela also returns after spending time on loan in Spain most recently with Osasuna.
Wenger seems to have a preternatural understanding of talent evaluation when it comes to signing players who are on the verge of stardom. Will these four players find their niche on the squad and again validate Wenger’s evaluation abilities? Nasri certainly seems the safest of the four to reach his potential under Wenger, but Vela and Ramsey also could be global names before the season has concluded. Both Vela and Ramsey will more than likely see action in the early stages of Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League campaign.