Samir Nasri admits he was relieved to finally join Manchester City after completing his long-awaited escape from Arsenal.

Nasri’s £24 million switch to Eastlands was sealed yesterday after he passed a medical and he is likely to go straight into Roberto Mancini’s squad for Sunday’s Premier League match against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

The 24-year-old had been made to wait several weeks to leave Arsenal as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger fought to hold on to him and the former Marseille star admitted he was frustrated that it took so long.

“It is a big relief. It was a long negotiation and discussion between the two clubs and now I am finally a City player. That is what I wanted from the start. I’m really happy,” Nasri said.

“I was a little bit frustrated because I said to the manager (Wenger) I wanted to leave. I stayed for the whole pre-season, but I wanted to do the pre-season with Manchester, so then I can know my team-mates a little more.

“I was a bit frustrated. It is a big day for me. It is a new start and I’m looking forward to doing it.”

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