Arsenal´s Nasri set to play against West Brom

AFP - 15 August 2008 11:40

Marseille´s Samir Nasir (right) fights for the ball with GB Anvers´ Kurt Van Dooren during a UEFA Cup match in Antwerp in 2005. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told the club´s television station that he expects Samir Nasir to play against West Brom on the opening day of the English Premiership season this weekend.

LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told the club's television station on Friday that he expected Samir Nasir to play against West Brom on the opening day of the English Premiership season this weekend.

Nasri had to miss the 2-0 Champions League victory at Dutch club FC Twente in midweek because of pain in his thigh and knee but Wenger said he should be fit for the weekend.

Abou Diaby is less fortunate however and will be out for another six weeks with a thigh problem.

Cesc Fabregas will be out of action for another two weeks following a pulled hamstring muscle and is expected back for the second leg of the Champions League third qualifying round at Twente on August 27.

Wenger told Arsenal TV On-Line: "Nasri should be okay (for Saturday). A reasonable target for Fabregas is the second leg of the Champions League game, but Diaby will take four to six weeks."

Arsenal completed the signing of French international midfielder Samir Nasri from Marseille for 12 million pounds early last month.