Arsenal’s Samir Nasri vows to show he is a ‘great player’ by performing consistently at highest level

Carling Cup Final,Samir Nasri,Arsenal vs Birmingham City

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Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri insists he is determined to prove that last season was not just a one-off, but is still unsure on whether he will be able to ensue such a wish with the Gunners.

The 24-year-old is still to agree to a contract extension at the Emirates and the situation is said to under the watchful eye of Manchester United.

However, away from the speculation of his future, Nasri believes he must follow on from his impressive campaign which saw him on the shortlist for PFA Player of the Year.

The Frenchman told the club’s official magazine: “As a player, it is hard to stay at the top of your game.

“I don’t want last season to be just a one-off. I want to continue playing at my best and be consistent at the level I was at the start of last season.

“This is the difference between a good player and a great player – and I know the expectations will be higher on me too.”

The midfielder, who signed from Marseille in 2008, has yet to say publicly whether he sees himself staying with Arsene Wenger’s side, but insists nothing has been decided on either a transfer or an extended stay in north London.

He added: “There is not much to say apart from don’t listen to all the rumours and everything that is written or said.

“Earlier in the season I spoke with the boss and we said we would talk during the summer, which is what we are going to do.”

Arsenal must act quickly on Nasri’s future or suffer the consequences of seeing him leave the club on a Bosman in 12 months’ time and already have their hands full with the future of club captain Cesc Fabregas undecided.

Another ongoing quest is the hunt for their first piece of silverware in six years, a barren spell that Nasri believes will soon come to an end.

He said: “At some point, we so want to win our desire is so big that we rush things and make mistakes. But it is not because we are scared, but because we want to win so badly and we don’t think enough.

“As a team, we all realise now what we need to do to win a trophy.

“We had everything to be champions, but if you look at it, every time we played to go top of the league, we never did.

“In terms of talent, I feel we had the best squad of the whole league. We played the best football.

“We were the best team, even if Manchester United had a good season too.”

Nasri added: “We have improved so much.

“If the boss adds some good players, I really believe a trophy will be won.”