Manchester City vs. Arsenal: Samir Nasri Must Start for Roberto Mancini

Roberto Mancini should start former Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri against his old club on Sunday, because there is no better way to get a player going than thrusting him into an important match where he has everything to prove.

Nasri left the Emirates to come to the Etihad over the summer for £24 million after he did not extend his Arsenal contract, but the Frenchman has failed to make the manager's starting XI for the biggest games thus far.

"

“I think that Nasri is a champion, a top, top player, but I think he can do more.” Mancini said. “When you change team, sometimes you can have a problem, but I would like him to play better because he is a top player. His mind at the moment—his confidence—is maybe not very good because he didn’t play against Chelsea, but if he plays on Sunday, he has a chance to show what he can do."

"

Nasri is a good player but he was overrated at Arsenal. He is a good playmaker, but he wasn't a better one than Cesc Fabregas, and he certainly is not better than City teammate David Silva and creating quality scoring chances.

Regardless, starting Nasri on Sunday is a risk Mancini must take. Right now the Gunners can look at that transfer and feel they did not make a bad choice.

Nasri will be dying to get into the game Sunday, and this type of energy and determination is exactly what City need to avoid two straight losses to top Premier League clubs.

A loss to Chelsea on Monday shrunk City's lead atop the table to just two points after it appeared they were well on their way to a title.

For Nasri to impress Mancini he must be better defensively and retreat back to the first third of the pitch and help his defense.

One thing his City midfield teammates Yaya Toure, David Silva and James Milner can do better than Nasri is play defense and be aggressive for 90 minutes.

Nasri isn't a physical player, but he can be if he wants to, it's all a mindset. His defensive play in a September loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League stands out as a weak moment in his brief City tenure.

The Frenchman has not earned a place in Mancini's starting XI for Sunday against Arsenal with his play this season, but his place in the lineup would spark Nasri's play and get him on track to showing the quality the manager expects from a player of his class.

It's not like Mancini is taking a major risk in playing Nasri, the Frenchman has played in many big games before and is a quality player.

Leaving other talented players on the bench so he can start Nasri, however, does have risk involved in it.

Nasri should have a chance to prove himself against the Gunners, but if Mancini does not give that to him, the club could have another player problem brewing similar to the one with forward Carlos Tevez.

Another drama-filled situation like that is the last thing City need right now.

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report, follow him on Twitter.

Follow @NicholasGoss35