Step Forward Samir Nasri

Arsenal will be looking to overturn a first leg deficit against FC Porto tomorrow night – a feat that the club haven’t achieved in over 30 years.

Many of the current Gunners squad hadn’t even been born when Willie Young secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Hadjuk Split at Highbury back in 1978, which secured progress via the away goals rule after a 2-1 first leg defeat in Yugoslavia.

It’s somewhat ironic that the Split side which attempted to thwart the Gunners European progress that night contained Boro Primorac, an influential part of Arsene Wenger’s coaching set up who will now be aiming to aid Arsenal’s reversal of fortune. And perhaps it’s just as ironic that the man who gained the vital away goal for Terry Neill’s side happened to be the legendary Liam Brady, who is responsible for the emergence of many of Arsene Wenger’s current crop of title chasing stars.

Fastforward 32 years and the Gunners find themselves trailing by the same margin going into the second leg of a European tie. And although they can look forward to the home comforts of a passionate crowd and the familiar glare of the Emirates floodlights, they must cope without their talismanic leader Cesc Fabregas, who is ruled out with the same troublesome hamstring injury which hampered him throughout the festive period.

Many would suggest that much of Arsenal’s potential success this season rides on the shoulders (and fitness) of their young captain.

But enter Samir Nasri, the 22 year old French international who contributed a blistering display in Arsenal’s 3-1 victory against Burnley on Saturday. The young winger took over the creative mantle vacated by Fabregas who limped out of the aforementioned contest, and ostensibly orchestrated much of the Gunners attacking play as they sought to keep pace with leaders Manchester United and second-placed Chelsea.

Essentially though, it was a performance which outlined the growing influence and versatility of the £11million signing from Marseille.

Known for his articulate footwork and relentless dribbling ability, Nasri’s undoubted potential soon saw him labelled as ‘the next Zinedine Zidane’ in the French media, after notable performances for Marseille at the tender age of just 17. And after his switch to North London, the devout Muslim who descends from an Algerian family, went some way to justifying the hype surrounding his transfer by notching a goal just four minutes into his Arsenal debut, and bagging a sublime brace in a 2-1 defeat of Manchester United at the Emirates in November 2008.

Not satisfied with bringing only creative zest to the Arsenal attack, Nasri demonstrated his ability to track back and defend stoutly during the winter of the 2008/09 season, making significant contributions in a holding midfield role prior to the emergence of Alex Song.

A fractured fibula dealt the Frenchman a cruel blow in the build up to a much anticipated second season at the Emirates, but his manager Arsene Wenger believes it has taught him how to fight in the face of adversity as his recent return to form would suggest.

“Nasri started with a fibula fracture at the start of the season and after two months it took him a while to get back to his best.”  said Wenger.

“But in the last few weeks he has got stronger and more confidence.”

And with Aaron Ramsey also sidelined with a long term injury, Arsenal need Nasri more than ever to prevent their European dream from being extinguished.

ARSENAL PROBABLE XI: Almunia, Eboue, Vermaelen, Campbell, Clichy, Denilson, Diaby, Nasri, Walcott, Bendtner, Arshavin