City fans have more passion than Arsenal fans, says £24m new boy Nasri

Samir Nasri aimed a provocative parting shot at Arsenal fans on Wednesday night after finally completing his protracted £24million move to Manchester City.

The France midfielder was given a warm reception on what proved his farewell Emirates appearance, Arsenal's 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool last Saturday.

He can expect a more hostile approach next time he sees his old club's followers, after accusing them of lacking passion just hours after finalising his City move.

Highbury used to be known as 'the library', thanks to a perceived lack of atmosphere, and Arsenal's crowd are even more subdued since moving to their new 60,000-capacity home, according to Nasri.

The 24-year-old former Marseille forward branded Arsenal fans 'disrespectful' over his treatment on the opening day at Newcastle and was on the attack again, after signing a four-year deal worth around £185,000 a week.

'The (City) fans remind me of Marseille,' he said. 'Arsenal have good fans but they are not that passionate since they moved from Highbury to the Emirates.

'I remember when we lost 3-0 to City, the crowd was amazing, and that's what I want. I'm here to play football and to enjoy it and to win titles.

'I spoke with Gael Clichy and Kolo Toure a lot, and with Patrick (Vieira).

'Patrick said City is the place to be because they are the club of the future and they want to win everything.

'It's a big relief because there were long, long negotiations between the two clubs. Now I'm finally a City player and I'm really happy.

'I was a little a bit frustrated because I said to the manager (Arsene Wenger) that I wanted to leave. I wanted to do pre-season with Manchester City and to meet my new team-mates. It's a new start and I'm looking forward to it.

'When you arrive at the club you want to play with big players, and the first game (Sergio) Aguero played he scored twice and made an assist.

'I love that kind of player. They are not tall, they are like me! They have quick feet and good technique and when you play with players like this you are looking to have a connection with them.'

After landing his main midfield target, Roberto Mancini revealed he had been on Nasri's trail for the past five years.

'He's a fantastic player, because he has technique, and he has mentality,' City's former Inter Milan coach told the club's website.

'I knew him when he played for Marseille. I followed him when I was at Inter and we wanted to take him five years ago. In the last few years in the Premier League, he has improved a lot. Now I think he's a top player.'

City's football administrators, Garry Cook and Brian Marwood, feel Nasri's arrival should spell the end of the spending, but Mancini is said to want a central defender and winger.

Should Carlos Tevez be sold before the window shuts, he will demand a striker.