Arsenal News: Roberto Mancini to Nasri, "Pick Up Your Game"

Signs that the love affair between Roberto Mancini and one of his newest acquisitions, Samir Nasri, the now enfant terrible of Arsenal, are souring have surfaced at last.

"At last," of course, alludes to the fact that Gooners have been waiting expectantly for this news since Nasri rejected them in August for their lack of passion.

The reader would recall that Nasri chose City because of their more passionate fans.

And indeed, she or he has to admit—even if grudgingly and reluctantly—that when it comes to passion, City fans are second to none, and that for Gooners, while it's certainly difficult to admit, their decibel level is just a shard above the graveyard's. So that, to be fair, there's a need to cut the guy some slack.

Well, if there was ever a time to do so, none is better than now, when the season of jollity and benevolence sweeps swiftly across our clime, causing us to sing and spend.

Well then, it's time to sing that grudge away. After all, our callow hatred is a shallow attempt to hide our true affection for our erstwhile beloved, as Kolo Toure rightly observed.

Gooners, before the kick off on Sunday, do the right thing and give the guy a hug. Here's why.

Mirror Football reports that it has been the former Gunner's turn at last to be on the receiving end of the now familiar cadence of boss Roberto Mancini. This is what the boss has said of the lad ahead of Sunday's encounter between City and Arsenal.

"

Samir didn’t play against Chelsea or United. I would like him to play better, because he is a really top player. I hope Samir can play more games at a higher level.

"

"

A top player should show responsibility. I spoke to him after Napoli about this, but I think he has time to show what he is capable of.

He is a champion. He is a top, top player. He can do more, but when you change teams you can have a problem. Maybe his confidence is not very good because he didn’t play at Chelsea.

If he plays against Arsenal, he will have a chance to show what he can do.

"

Note, Gooner, in case you missed it, that Nasri hasn't played against the top sides because he hasn't been playing "better" and because he hasn't shown "responsibility." Nasri, the same person who used to play all the important games against all the important sides for us. Oh, well!

Here's a thought, though, Balotelli showed responsibility and earned the right to play against Chelsea. It now makes perfect sense.

As for the "cadence" part, Gooners should recollect that we've heard it at least three times already this season—hymned of Johnson, solo-ed of Dzeko, canticled—no, this is getting ridiculous—"declared" will do, so declared of Richards.

No, don't bring up Tevez, please, don't, thank you...

But how can one fail to moralize a situation so golden? If only Nasri had stayed with us, won't he now be wearing the king's crown, serenaded by our unending paeans of admiration and appreciation?

Tell me, how or why won't your confidence cool when you spend so much time warming the bench? Tell me.