Nasri keen to emulate Pires with France and Arsenal

CLAIREFONTAINE, France: Samir Nasri said on Tuesday he hoped to emulate fellow midfielder Robert Pires by having a successful club career at Arsenal that would also secure his international place with France.

Nasri, 21, who joined the Londoners from Olympique Marseille in July and marked his Premier League debut with a winner against West Bromwich Albion last month, is one of a new generation of players coming into France's team.

Asked about his career in England, he told reporters: "You're playing with the cream of European football.