Manchester City's Samir Nasri: Arsene Wenger is my "football father"

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has described Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as his "football father".

The 26-year-old joined the Gunners from Marseille in 2008 and played until 2011.

"Arsene is my football father," the France international told The Telegraph.

"He took me from France, made me the player I am, made me believe about my quality. He was great for me. I am pleased Arsenal are in the final of the FA Cup. I hope they win.

"I might have a problem with Arsenal fans because of the way they treat me but I just want Arsene to win a trophy because he doesn't deserve everything that has been said about him."

Nasri also criticised Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho for being disrespectful towards Wenger.

"I am a big fan of Jose Mourinho," he said. "I like him when he goes into the press conference, the way he talks, but what he said about Arsene is really disrespectful.

"Arsenal is Arsene. He changed the club. You cannot call him 'a specialist in failure'. Everyone needs to calm down, even the Arsenal fans because they are really mean with him.

"'In Arsene We Trust'. That's what they said. They should do it."

Nasri left Arsenal for Manchester City in the summer of 2011.