Nasri targets World Cup place

December 31, 2009

France may have qualified for the 2010 World Cup but their midfield hopefuls will have to deal with the added competition of Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri, who has spoken of his determination to become a first-team regular for the European powerhouse before the mega event in South Africa.

While, the 22-year-old made his debut for Les Bleus in 2007 with 15 caps to his name, the majority of his appearances for his country have come as a substitute.

And the desire to become a permanent member of Raymond Domenech’s starting line-up is a target Nasri has set for himself, as he believes it is the time to begin to make his potential count.

Ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the former Marseille man has been working to overcome the fitness problems which have blighted his time at Arsenal.

He believes he is in a better physical condition and holds an international ambition, telling L’Equipe: “I want to reach a new level in the French team, not just coming into the group and watching.

“I believe I can have a position in a 4-2-3-1 formation. I play on a wing for Arsenal so it can offer me more opportunities. I am 22-years-old. I have to reach international level now.

“The World Cup is not an obsession, but I am thinking about it a lot. The priority is to play a lot of games for Arsenal.

“But I will start to think about being in the France squad for the friendly against Spain (on March 3). I have worked hard physically.”

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