We’ve got Gervinho so who needs Nasri

Tonight’s game in Germany represents a massive challenge for an Arsenal side perhaps low on confidence, but it could prove a turning point for us. If it does then there is a very good chance that the returning Gervinho will be a key factor in the success.

I became increasingly frustrated over the summer with the criticism of Arsene Wenger by bloggers and ill informed journalists for not replacing Samir Nasri and leaving everything to the last minute, when he should have known the Frenchman’s head was turned.

Now correct me if I am wrong, but Wenger identified the skilful Ivorian as his primary target in June and completed the signing on the 18th of July and our greedy friend did not leave until the very end of August.

Again, please feel free to disagree, but when Wenger had his best squad fit and available last season he always played Nasri wide left and when Walcott was fit he always started wide right. When Theo was injured we tended to move Nasri to the right and play Arshavin on the left. Our first choice midfield trio was always Song, Wilshere and Fabregas, and even when Fabregas was injured for the Carling Cup Final, Wenger still played Rosicky in the advanced midfield role and Nasri out wide. If all the above is true, which in my book it is, then Wenger replaced Samir with Gervinho 6 weeks before he departed for Manchester and the critics and moaners in this instance at least, had it wrong.

So the question therefore is whether Gervinho can fill the void left by Nasri, and I personally feel that he can.

He is very direct, supremely skilful, a superb dribbler, can beat a full-back with pace or crucially with a trick, and in addition, makes very intelligent runs in behind the back-line. He is not the finished article yet and his decision making needs to improve, but that is why he wanted to come to Arsenal and learn from Wenger. Yes, he wants to play for our club and proudly wear the red and white shirt, which could not be said of our fickle French friend. Gervinho could well be the player to chip in with double figures in goals and assists this term, something which ultimately Nasri failed to do.

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