"Arsene Wenger is the greatest coach" - Samir Nasri

In a veiled swipe at Mancini, Nasri heaped praise on former boss Arsene Wenger, under whom he was first given a chance in the Premier League in 2008 with Arsenal.

The France forward spent three years at the Emirates Stadium but left in 2011 - a decision which continues to sit uncomfortably with Gunners fans.

But the 25-year-old says he has no regrets about the decision to turn his back on ‘the greatest coach he ever worked with’, insisting his decision to move north was not based on money.

The Manchester City star said: “Arsene Wenger is the greatest coach I’ve worked with.

“If I’d worked with Wenger at Manchester City, maybe I would have avoided some problems.”

Nasri left Arsenal to join City in a £24million move in August 2011 and helped them to the Premier League title last term.

But he compared his troubled time at City this year with his spell at Arsenal under Wenger. Nasri said: “It’s time to talk, explain and say certain things.

“Arsene Wenger is the one who understood me most, with whom I had the greatest affinity.

“I’m very grateful to him as he signed me after perhaps my worst season at Marseille when I had a bout of meningitis. He played a huge role in my career.”

Nasri insists he has no regrets over joining City. He added: “Winning a title with the fervour of the fans who hadn’t seen that for 40 years, well, it was exceptional.

“And I hope that this season we’ll win the FA Cup to have the same feeling.

“There’s a big difference between the squad at City and Arsenal. I do earn more at City but I joined a better, more competitive team.

“Wenger is someone who wants to win but doesn’t have the means to compete with the other clubs.

“When he told me he was going to sell Cesc and sign Gervinho and nobody else then I sensed it would be a struggle for Arsenal.

“If I was playing more at City this season then I’d have no regrets. When you’re a player you want to play. It’s not your bank account that matters.

“I’m young and I want to play. Those who say my decision to join City was a financial one aren’t being honest.”