Scouted by Arsene Wenger for some time, the 21-year-old can play as a central midfielder, but will most likely replace the departing Alex Hleb on the wing.
Beginning his career with Marseille aged just nine years old, Nasri began to play in Ligue 1 in the 2004/05 season where he made an impression at 17.
Involved in the French national set up for a long time, progressing through the Under-16s, 17s, 18s, 19s and 21s, he was member of the France national under-21 football team and has been part of the French national team system since he was about 14.
With a growing international reputation, Nasri helped Marseille to UEFA Cup qualification in the 2006/07 season and was also awarded the French Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year trophy ahead of Jimmy Briand and Karim Benzema. He was also voted Marseille's player of the year by the fans.
The 2007/08 season saw Nasri cement his place as one of the best young talents in the French game and despite picking up a meningitis-like virus at the start of the season, he recovered to showcase his skills against Liverpool in the Champions League.
At the end of a disappointing season for OM, Nasri played his part in the French Euro 2008 campaign although was given the dubious honour of being a substituted substitute after Franck Ribery's injury and Eric Abidal's sending off forced Raymond Domench to change his hand in the 2-0 defeat to Italy.
With talk of a transfer to Arsenal rearing its head before the tournament, Wenger expressed hope that the deal could be completed and, after France's early exit, Nasri officially signed for Arsenal for an undisclosed amount on the 11 July 2008.
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